「人生虛無，一切到最後都化為塵土，當XXX是要『證明自己在世上存在過』」。
瞄Yahoo新聞時，看見以上句子，抓破頭皮思量何故香港報紙會有存在主義的報導，還要在港聞版！細心看，原來上述句子是某Game模冠軍，只有十六歲的應屆會考生金慧君（金金）的「勝利宣言」，而XXX等於模特兒。
這個金金，看照片，姿色只是一般口靚模矣。可是，詞鋒卻非比尋常。左一句「人人都有虛榮心，她會順其自然而不加克制」；右一句「『口靚』字分拆開來的『口』、『青』跟『見』代表口才、青春與見識」。小聰明遠勝一眾口靚模、甚至藝人。此姝看來大有前途。
話說回來，存在應是每個人都要探討的問題。只是，香港人一般忙碌，忙搵食忙抄股忙上網忙叫雞，終日忙這忙那。會找時間思考存在的人，幾近沒有。看大學哲學系成了入大學的「救生圈」便知道了。其實，在畸形的香港，存在意義更值得研究。存在，就僅只是為了出風頭，為了層樓，為了LV袋，為了Rolex Submariner？
當然，滿足便是了。到最後，結局還不是一樣？
2009年12月31日 星期四
2009年12月30日 星期三
LXB, the Dissident - 20091230
Mr Liu Xiao Bo, commonly called by his acronym LXB, was jailed 11 years for the charge of subversion. The tipping point was the propaganda of "Charter 08".
The content of "Charter 08" is anything but creative. It just reinstates some common values that any democratic state has been sharing for a hundred years, and makes a gist on the tragic development of modern China. Strangely, this kind of utterance could be framed as subversive.
http://www.2008xianzhang.info/chinese.htm
As cited in the "Charter 08", China is a signatory of two international human rights conventions. Paradoxically, China's violation on human rights could easily be seen in everywhere of any scale at any time. Just flash black at the "events" in Tibet and Urumqi. And obviously, LXB's sentence is the biggest joke to human right. By imprisoning LXB, China has substantiated what "Charter 08" says, no matter inadvertently or not. However, by protecting the interest of the Communist party, Chinese Officials would sacrifice any other things. Rule of law is always a mirage in China.
By repeatedly testing the demon and embracing sufferance, LXB has become a saint of modern China.
The content of "Charter 08" is anything but creative. It just reinstates some common values that any democratic state has been sharing for a hundred years, and makes a gist on the tragic development of modern China. Strangely, this kind of utterance could be framed as subversive.
http://www.2008xianzhang.info/chinese.htm
As cited in the "Charter 08", China is a signatory of two international human rights conventions. Paradoxically, China's violation on human rights could easily be seen in everywhere of any scale at any time. Just flash black at the "events" in Tibet and Urumqi. And obviously, LXB's sentence is the biggest joke to human right. By imprisoning LXB, China has substantiated what "Charter 08" says, no matter inadvertently or not. However, by protecting the interest of the Communist party, Chinese Officials would sacrifice any other things. Rule of law is always a mirage in China.
By repeatedly testing the demon and embracing sufferance, LXB has become a saint of modern China.
2009年12月29日 星期二
習慣 - 20091229
清晨，
摘下毛巾，把塵埃從桌面、相框、沙發以至玻璃
抹掉，晚上重複。
下班，
穿上跑鞋，自路口跑到學校、公園、橋頭，再跑到
對岸，翌日重複。
相信，習慣是千奇百怪的
愛好。如教徒把持
十誡，
年復一年。
摘下毛巾，把塵埃從桌面、相框、沙發以至玻璃
抹掉，晚上重複。
下班，
穿上跑鞋，自路口跑到學校、公園、橋頭，再跑到
對岸，翌日重複。
相信，習慣是千奇百怪的
愛好。如教徒把持
十誡，
年復一年。
2009年12月28日 星期一
Nostalgia - 20091228
After a short visit to my nominal hometown Shajing (沙井) last Friday, I could not help confirming that the word "nostalgia" would be vanished in China.
According to Wikipedia, "nostalgia" describes a longing for the past. Generally speaking, homesickness would be its synonym.
Though never a resident in Shajing, I went back there not unusually in my young age, for the sake of ancestors reverence and new year celebration. The change of Shajing in these 20 years is horrendous. I just wonder how could people adapt to those new stuffs in every bit of their daily life.
The living environment has been demolished and rebuilt. In the past, many of the people were farmers or fishermen. However, thanks to development, many of the farmlands have been changed to factories. Without any concept of environmental conservation, the toxic substance excreted from factories has been lavishly polluting Shajing's land and sea. Thus, seafood was inedible and the quality of their famous oyster was dubious. As such, the then farmers and fishermen have changed their mode of living. Generally, most of them are unemployed and living under the sumptuous subsidy provided by the province. Some of the others would become sales or proprietors. Living premises have been changed from 2-storey houses to state-of-art apartments.
The mode of transportation has been turned-upside-down. In the past, the vogue was riding the robust Phoenix bicycles. Now, even motorcycles would be laughed off by those saloon car owners. The by-product of boost in cars is smog round-the-clock.
Entertainment is a new found addict to Shajing's people. When they were still engaged in the primary industry, they had no luxury for entertainment. Watching movies would be their annual event. Now, everybody immerses in the flesh market. Prostitutes could be found in each and every street corner. Women indulge in message and spa.
Thus, if somebody lost his sense 20 years ago, and have been waken up today, he could find no hint of recollection in his so called hometown.
BTW, below is the official website of Shajing!
http://www.shajing.gov.cn/
According to Wikipedia, "nostalgia" describes a longing for the past. Generally speaking, homesickness would be its synonym.
Though never a resident in Shajing, I went back there not unusually in my young age, for the sake of ancestors reverence and new year celebration. The change of Shajing in these 20 years is horrendous. I just wonder how could people adapt to those new stuffs in every bit of their daily life.
The living environment has been demolished and rebuilt. In the past, many of the people were farmers or fishermen. However, thanks to development, many of the farmlands have been changed to factories. Without any concept of environmental conservation, the toxic substance excreted from factories has been lavishly polluting Shajing's land and sea. Thus, seafood was inedible and the quality of their famous oyster was dubious. As such, the then farmers and fishermen have changed their mode of living. Generally, most of them are unemployed and living under the sumptuous subsidy provided by the province. Some of the others would become sales or proprietors. Living premises have been changed from 2-storey houses to state-of-art apartments.
The mode of transportation has been turned-upside-down. In the past, the vogue was riding the robust Phoenix bicycles. Now, even motorcycles would be laughed off by those saloon car owners. The by-product of boost in cars is smog round-the-clock.
Entertainment is a new found addict to Shajing's people. When they were still engaged in the primary industry, they had no luxury for entertainment. Watching movies would be their annual event. Now, everybody immerses in the flesh market. Prostitutes could be found in each and every street corner. Women indulge in message and spa.
Thus, if somebody lost his sense 20 years ago, and have been waken up today, he could find no hint of recollection in his so called hometown.
BTW, below is the official website of Shajing!
http://www.shajing.gov.cn/
2009年12月26日 星期六
沙井一遊 - 20091226
趁聖誕節，媽碰巧休息，昨天與妹同返家鄉沙井，探外祖父母。他們都很好，尤其阿公雖然九十開外，精神飽滿依舊，聲如洪鐘，小個子仍如靈猴般健步如飛。成為人瑞，指日可待。
已經兩、三年沒有返沙井了。從前，每逢新歲，例必回鄉過節。只是，呆在那改建為偽西班牙式的故居，只是三數天，例牌的麻將卡拉OK腳底按摩，也足可悶死人了。因此，自兼讀法律學位始，便藉口溫習，不回鄉了。媽與妹也是受益人。今學位已得，但不回鄉過年之習定必繼續下去。
回顧昨日的行程。早上九時三刻自上水乘火車到羅湖，人頭湧湧。在火車上，一個七、八十歲老人拉著一小車行李，在人郡中橫衝直撞，也真叫人肝火。十時十五分，在媽引領下在商業城飲茶。食物沒甚了了，用了八十元，也合理。後到樓下等旅遊巴回沙井。竟碰見了我媽的細佬！這個舅父，為人縮骨，多年沒見，除身形暴脹，沒啥分別。他回鄉渡兩天聖誕假，所以昨天整日也在左右。
旅遊巴十一時半開車，我們十二時四十五分已到外公家。沿路所見，幢幢新公寓開滿遍地，和香港沒兩樣。只是，空氣更差，整個深圳也被一襲灰色籠罩。就是沙井，也驚見大量樓高廿層的apartment。沙井有那麼多人嗎？和外祖父母寒喧一會，便到附近的「港式」茶餐廳吃午飯。點了一個五餸餐，另為外婆點一碟豉油王炒麵。看外婆鯨吞那碟炒麵，吃個不亦樂乎，媽也份外開心。吃過午餐，信步回外公家，發覺從前常光顧的燒雞翼小販檔不見了，取而代之是童裝商販，有一絲失落。大約二時，阿姨吃完「歸伙」酒（乍聽以為是甚麼龜婆酒！）回來，和我們匯合。無業的她，開著Nissan轎車，載大伙兒到她裝修中的新居參觀。
阿姨的新居正正是那些apartment！她的靚屋巧合座落十八樓C座。屋很大，起碼千尺以上，供她夫婦和女兒三人同住。只是那個主人套房，已經大過一般香港斗室的客廳。裝修西化，可見開放式廚房。聞說此樓價十多萬，裝修費十萬上下。只是，我姨長年無業，姨丈亦只是月入數千打工仔，錢從何來？原來，那些大陸原居民，每年也有分紅數萬。那些錢，是村長賣地予商人如廠家所獲。所以，從前的魚塘和稻田，早已變成不同的工廠了。而青磚瓦頂的舊居，就在村長們威迫利誘下給「發展」掉了。
看完靚屋，阿姨和她朋友「紅毛」，帶我們去推拿按摩。「紅毛」也是典型的無業闊太，當天做完按摩後，便和丈夫及另一對夫婦驅車往蛇口的「中森名菜」吃壽司。說回按摩店，位於一個叫「又一城」的商場內。地下一層已經廢棄多時。行過一堆雜物，搭升降機上四樓。門打開，原來別有洞天！按摩店新開業，非常乾淨。不知「紅毛」在哪兒弄到優惠，一行五人的服務皆免費。我選了推拿。男師傅左推右按，舒服透了的我則睡了幾回。六時許，到一飯店吃飯。骨頭見紅的新鮮雞最是可口，冷伴的河粉也新奇。至八時，阿姨駛我們到皇崗口岸。汽車左穿右插，誤往長安方向，幸妹發覺，提醒阿姨重入正軌。至九時五十分到達摩登的入境大樓，有驚無險。乘落馬州線返回上水，小意外是我們把外公贈送的蠔豉遺留在火車廂內。
鄉愁者，在今天不斷拆故居，趕建apartment的大陸，已經沒有了。
已經兩、三年沒有返沙井了。從前，每逢新歲，例必回鄉過節。只是，呆在那改建為偽西班牙式的故居，只是三數天，例牌的麻將卡拉OK腳底按摩，也足可悶死人了。因此，自兼讀法律學位始，便藉口溫習，不回鄉了。媽與妹也是受益人。今學位已得，但不回鄉過年之習定必繼續下去。
回顧昨日的行程。早上九時三刻自上水乘火車到羅湖，人頭湧湧。在火車上，一個七、八十歲老人拉著一小車行李，在人郡中橫衝直撞，也真叫人肝火。十時十五分，在媽引領下在商業城飲茶。食物沒甚了了，用了八十元，也合理。後到樓下等旅遊巴回沙井。竟碰見了我媽的細佬！這個舅父，為人縮骨，多年沒見，除身形暴脹，沒啥分別。他回鄉渡兩天聖誕假，所以昨天整日也在左右。
旅遊巴十一時半開車，我們十二時四十五分已到外公家。沿路所見，幢幢新公寓開滿遍地，和香港沒兩樣。只是，空氣更差，整個深圳也被一襲灰色籠罩。就是沙井，也驚見大量樓高廿層的apartment。沙井有那麼多人嗎？和外祖父母寒喧一會，便到附近的「港式」茶餐廳吃午飯。點了一個五餸餐，另為外婆點一碟豉油王炒麵。看外婆鯨吞那碟炒麵，吃個不亦樂乎，媽也份外開心。吃過午餐，信步回外公家，發覺從前常光顧的燒雞翼小販檔不見了，取而代之是童裝商販，有一絲失落。大約二時，阿姨吃完「歸伙」酒（乍聽以為是甚麼龜婆酒！）回來，和我們匯合。無業的她，開著Nissan轎車，載大伙兒到她裝修中的新居參觀。
阿姨的新居正正是那些apartment！她的靚屋巧合座落十八樓C座。屋很大，起碼千尺以上，供她夫婦和女兒三人同住。只是那個主人套房，已經大過一般香港斗室的客廳。裝修西化，可見開放式廚房。聞說此樓價十多萬，裝修費十萬上下。只是，我姨長年無業，姨丈亦只是月入數千打工仔，錢從何來？原來，那些大陸原居民，每年也有分紅數萬。那些錢，是村長賣地予商人如廠家所獲。所以，從前的魚塘和稻田，早已變成不同的工廠了。而青磚瓦頂的舊居，就在村長們威迫利誘下給「發展」掉了。
看完靚屋，阿姨和她朋友「紅毛」，帶我們去推拿按摩。「紅毛」也是典型的無業闊太，當天做完按摩後，便和丈夫及另一對夫婦驅車往蛇口的「中森名菜」吃壽司。說回按摩店，位於一個叫「又一城」的商場內。地下一層已經廢棄多時。行過一堆雜物，搭升降機上四樓。門打開，原來別有洞天！按摩店新開業，非常乾淨。不知「紅毛」在哪兒弄到優惠，一行五人的服務皆免費。我選了推拿。男師傅左推右按，舒服透了的我則睡了幾回。六時許，到一飯店吃飯。骨頭見紅的新鮮雞最是可口，冷伴的河粉也新奇。至八時，阿姨駛我們到皇崗口岸。汽車左穿右插，誤往長安方向，幸妹發覺，提醒阿姨重入正軌。至九時五十分到達摩登的入境大樓，有驚無險。乘落馬州線返回上水，小意外是我們把外公贈送的蠔豉遺留在火車廂內。
鄉愁者，在今天不斷拆故居，趕建apartment的大陸，已經沒有了。
2009年12月24日 星期四
Christmas in HK - 20091224
Christmas Eve again. So today, everybody should be hilarious.
Most of the ladies maximize their imagination to present the best side of themselves. While lined up for the train to office, most of the female acquaintances were a little bit different. Make-up has been put on, shiny skirts and black stockings replaced all the daily trousers and jeans. Every woman seemed to be as luminous as Christmas lighting, though few of them were overpowered. On the contrary, men are as dull as ever.
In the office, female colleagues are dispatching sweeties as Christmas gift. I have received homemade brownie, cookies and chocolate. If I were endowed a sweet tongue, I would have been very happy. Also, as an inborn paranoid, sometimes, I would suspect the motive of our lovely colleagues. Would they lose face if everybody is giving out but themselves? Anyway, in the joyful day, benefit of the doubt should be given.
Christmas carols fill in each and every street corners. All the boys and girls, called by the Almighty, gather together, sing free karaoke in the open area. Generally an "earsore", we have to put up with this kind of noise pollution for a few days. Hong Kong, the city of shopping mall, is also programmed with cliche songs, like Last Christmas would repeat endlessly in any arcade. Sadly, being an atheist, I could never feel the solemnity of God inside the church, in person.
At the end of the day, the best I could get in this Christmas, are a pair of nice jeans, together with some rest.
Most of the ladies maximize their imagination to present the best side of themselves. While lined up for the train to office, most of the female acquaintances were a little bit different. Make-up has been put on, shiny skirts and black stockings replaced all the daily trousers and jeans. Every woman seemed to be as luminous as Christmas lighting, though few of them were overpowered. On the contrary, men are as dull as ever.
In the office, female colleagues are dispatching sweeties as Christmas gift. I have received homemade brownie, cookies and chocolate. If I were endowed a sweet tongue, I would have been very happy. Also, as an inborn paranoid, sometimes, I would suspect the motive of our lovely colleagues. Would they lose face if everybody is giving out but themselves? Anyway, in the joyful day, benefit of the doubt should be given.
Christmas carols fill in each and every street corners. All the boys and girls, called by the Almighty, gather together, sing free karaoke in the open area. Generally an "earsore", we have to put up with this kind of noise pollution for a few days. Hong Kong, the city of shopping mall, is also programmed with cliche songs, like Last Christmas would repeat endlessly in any arcade. Sadly, being an atheist, I could never feel the solemnity of God inside the church, in person.
At the end of the day, the best I could get in this Christmas, are a pair of nice jeans, together with some rest.
2009年12月23日 星期三
造冬 - 20091223
昨日冬至，晚上在家造冬。菜很豐富，伴以紅酒相得益彰。
常說「冬大過年」，這話在我家碰巧適用。為了避開新年無謂工夫，我們不回大陸渡歲已有三載。過年時，家中食物和平日分別不大，反正在街已吃了過多的煎炸食物，淡淡素素的住家飯其實更好。相反，造冬的晚飯一般大菜。
像昨夜，媽媽老闆早為她買了貴菜，如雞、石斑及日本對蝦。皆美味。此外，媽友人「高佬」送她加州紅酒一支。此紅酒不是高價貨，看那鐵樽蓋便知道。像一般的美國物品，此酒以量取勝 - - - 足有1.5公升，比平常紅酒倍之。酒味略甜，似葡萄汁多於似酒，但也不致難喝。不知是為了幹掉那酒，還是掃光餸菜，最後悉數進肚。肚子撐滿酒菜，剩下的一窩冷飯惟有留待今晚抄之。
可惜，冬至對我們都市人的意義，除了吃一餐外，似乎便沒有其他了。譬如，還有香港人會在冬至祭祖嗎？即便吃湯圓的，也是少之又少了。
常說「冬大過年」，這話在我家碰巧適用。為了避開新年無謂工夫，我們不回大陸渡歲已有三載。過年時，家中食物和平日分別不大，反正在街已吃了過多的煎炸食物，淡淡素素的住家飯其實更好。相反，造冬的晚飯一般大菜。
像昨夜，媽媽老闆早為她買了貴菜，如雞、石斑及日本對蝦。皆美味。此外，媽友人「高佬」送她加州紅酒一支。此紅酒不是高價貨，看那鐵樽蓋便知道。像一般的美國物品，此酒以量取勝 - - - 足有1.5公升，比平常紅酒倍之。酒味略甜，似葡萄汁多於似酒，但也不致難喝。不知是為了幹掉那酒，還是掃光餸菜，最後悉數進肚。肚子撐滿酒菜，剩下的一窩冷飯惟有留待今晚抄之。
可惜，冬至對我們都市人的意義，除了吃一餐外，似乎便沒有其他了。譬如，還有香港人會在冬至祭祖嗎？即便吃湯圓的，也是少之又少了。
2009年12月22日 星期二
Rehab - 20091222
The Tiger Woods saga is everlasting. According to some snippets, Elin, Tigress-at-the-moment, was furious that Tiger refused to check into a rehab to get professional help for his sex addict.
This kind of news is nonsense.
First, who would be naive enough to believe the actual effectiveness of rehab? There are so many failure examples. Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty are the most prominent duo. So many of the celebs simply treat rehab as hotel. The genuine purpose of entering a rehab is to save their public image, nothing more or less. In addition, I always suspect that rehab is a by-product of the legal system. We could see that checking into rehab could mitigate the sentence, for the sake of regret showboating.
Second, Elin was rumoured to be considering to file a divorce against Woods. Elin was reported to pursue half of Tiger's shares, as well as the custody of their children. If the rumour is true, then the case would be put into a family court. Would Elin get a better chance to win her case, if Tiger is substantiated as a unremorseful sex addict? The answer is crystal clear and thus, there is no way Elin would get angry for Tiger's refusal for medical advice.
By rejecting sex therapy, Tiger's indomitable spirit bolstered, to me.
This kind of news is nonsense.
First, who would be naive enough to believe the actual effectiveness of rehab? There are so many failure examples. Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty are the most prominent duo. So many of the celebs simply treat rehab as hotel. The genuine purpose of entering a rehab is to save their public image, nothing more or less. In addition, I always suspect that rehab is a by-product of the legal system. We could see that checking into rehab could mitigate the sentence, for the sake of regret showboating.
Second, Elin was rumoured to be considering to file a divorce against Woods. Elin was reported to pursue half of Tiger's shares, as well as the custody of their children. If the rumour is true, then the case would be put into a family court. Would Elin get a better chance to win her case, if Tiger is substantiated as a unremorseful sex addict? The answer is crystal clear and thus, there is no way Elin would get angry for Tiger's refusal for medical advice.
By rejecting sex therapy, Tiger's indomitable spirit bolstered, to me.
2009年12月21日 星期一
舒國治 - 20091221
上星期在家撿些舊書看，隨手選了舒國治的《門外漢的京都》。翻了兩頁，沒啥印象；妹曰：「書是你買的？」心中嘀咕：「不是凡京都的都是你買的嗎？」最後沒有定案。
文字有些古樸，心中暗喜，後到城大借了舒國治的《台北小吃札記》、《理想的下午 : 關於旅行也關於晃蕩》及《臺灣重遊》。一口氣在一星期內看完。皆甚好，只比陳雲的略多丁點雜質。
在《台北小吃札記》裡，舒國治提倡以「目測法」選食店。「目測法」者，觀其店東面目，察其店舖氛圍，眼順則可靠。此外，食物選擇愈少，品質愈可信賴。很是認同。一般而言，食店歷史愈久，食物愈扎實。廣成便是一例。看餐桌久經擦拭，鐵桌邊原有光芒稜角，漸變成現有暗啞圓鈍。經千錘百鍊的幾項食品，如牛肉通粉、蛋治，雖是簡單，你有幾何在別店吃得稱心？如牛肉沒醃成腐肉，蛋沒煎成死熟者，沒有一、二。
且看台北小吃之多之精奇，非香港能望其項背。無他，如胡椒餅者，誰個店家能造炭火烤爐烹之？即是有心，食環署的官僚也叫你心死。再者，香港吸血鬼地主們也不容忍蠅頭小利之生意。所以，看書所滋生之口水也只好硬吞下肚。
舒國治也是一奇漢子。台灣人，而立之年後始到美國流浪，一去七載。繼而返台。沒有朝九晚五正職，途說每年賺夠二萬美元生活費便全職過生活。由是觀之，台灣之包容及變化較香港大。人在香港，如效舒國治，會被受冷笑指責，如不事生產，對社會沒貢獻云云。面子尤關，誰個能笑對「寄生蟲」污名？
文字有些古樸，心中暗喜，後到城大借了舒國治的《台北小吃札記》、《理想的下午 : 關於旅行也關於晃蕩》及《臺灣重遊》。一口氣在一星期內看完。皆甚好，只比陳雲的略多丁點雜質。
在《台北小吃札記》裡，舒國治提倡以「目測法」選食店。「目測法」者，觀其店東面目，察其店舖氛圍，眼順則可靠。此外，食物選擇愈少，品質愈可信賴。很是認同。一般而言，食店歷史愈久，食物愈扎實。廣成便是一例。看餐桌久經擦拭，鐵桌邊原有光芒稜角，漸變成現有暗啞圓鈍。經千錘百鍊的幾項食品，如牛肉通粉、蛋治，雖是簡單，你有幾何在別店吃得稱心？如牛肉沒醃成腐肉，蛋沒煎成死熟者，沒有一、二。
且看台北小吃之多之精奇，非香港能望其項背。無他，如胡椒餅者，誰個店家能造炭火烤爐烹之？即是有心，食環署的官僚也叫你心死。再者，香港吸血鬼地主們也不容忍蠅頭小利之生意。所以，看書所滋生之口水也只好硬吞下肚。
舒國治也是一奇漢子。台灣人，而立之年後始到美國流浪，一去七載。繼而返台。沒有朝九晚五正職，途說每年賺夠二萬美元生活費便全職過生活。由是觀之，台灣之包容及變化較香港大。人在香港，如效舒國治，會被受冷笑指責，如不事生產，對社會沒貢獻云云。面子尤關，誰個能笑對「寄生蟲」污名？
2009年12月20日 星期日
Even a Win - 20091220
Mark Hughes was sacked as the manager of football club Manchester City, after their 4-3 victory against Sunderland. Roberto Mancini replaces Hughes' hot seat.
Nowadays, football managers are comparatively young. Most of them are previously footballers, Hughes is one of those. Unfortunately, among these pre-matured footballer-turn-managers, very few could be described as successful. Maybe Josep Guardiola is one of the exceptions.
Hughes skill to manage a big squad has never been proved. Before joining Manchester City, Hughes had a short successful stint in Blackburn Rovers, a medium-size team. However, managing a big team is a different animal.
The ability to tame different talents is the key. Taking Manchester City as an example. This rich team, has signed so many expensive stars in so short a period of time. Adebayor, Bellamy, Tevez, Robinho . . . none of them could be described as of easy character. Hughes strength is dubious.
Given no spectacular track record as a manager to back himself up, and never a superstar himself as a football player, Hughes fate is more or less like Kevin Keegan, or even worse.
Nowadays, football managers are comparatively young. Most of them are previously footballers, Hughes is one of those. Unfortunately, among these pre-matured footballer-turn-managers, very few could be described as successful. Maybe Josep Guardiola is one of the exceptions.
Hughes skill to manage a big squad has never been proved. Before joining Manchester City, Hughes had a short successful stint in Blackburn Rovers, a medium-size team. However, managing a big team is a different animal.
The ability to tame different talents is the key. Taking Manchester City as an example. This rich team, has signed so many expensive stars in so short a period of time. Adebayor, Bellamy, Tevez, Robinho . . . none of them could be described as of easy character. Hughes strength is dubious.
Given no spectacular track record as a manager to back himself up, and never a superstar himself as a football player, Hughes fate is more or less like Kevin Keegan, or even worse.
2009年12月18日 星期五
準老師 - 20091218
報載，教育學院學生於聖誕派對大玩不文遊戲。男生以雙腳夾緊紙包飲品，揤出飲料；女生口叼紙杯，接收「貨物」。如常地，事情經facebook與大眾分享。一位教育界人士坦言相關遊戲過火，質疑這批學生將來是否仍有資格為人師表。
當然，這些遊戲惡俗依舊。只是，如此無傷大雅的事情，又是否值得在港聞版A2報導？
年少輕狂，是想當然的事情。廿歲男女，情慾旺盛，在聖誕佳節扭作一團，合情合理。現今社會，文化普遍低落，就是準教師，難道你要他們在聖誕派對吟詩作對，文化沙龍？沒可能吧。那鳥東西某某，孔子上身，就這些無聊遊戲，無限上綱，以「道德」與教學資格掛勾，實在噁心。難道要完人才能為人師表？那麼，以炒股賭馬為樂的老師，又是否要人間蒸發？
評訂老師資格，縱看知識，橫看質素。課餘活動，只要合法，干卿鳥事？
當然，這些遊戲惡俗依舊。只是，如此無傷大雅的事情，又是否值得在港聞版A2報導？
年少輕狂，是想當然的事情。廿歲男女，情慾旺盛，在聖誕佳節扭作一團，合情合理。現今社會，文化普遍低落，就是準教師，難道你要他們在聖誕派對吟詩作對，文化沙龍？沒可能吧。那鳥東西某某，孔子上身，就這些無聊遊戲，無限上綱，以「道德」與教學資格掛勾，實在噁心。難道要完人才能為人師表？那麼，以炒股賭馬為樂的老師，又是否要人間蒸發？
評訂老師資格，縱看知識，橫看質素。課餘活動，只要合法，干卿鳥事？
2009年12月17日 星期四
10 Changes - 20091217
Mick McCarthy, manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, was under fierce criticism, for the decision of using 10 reserves as starters in yesterday's game against Manchester United. Eventually, Wanderers lost 3-0.
Among the jeers, Arsene Wenger made one of the loudest noise. Wenger said they are now competing Red Devils with 37 games instead of 38 this season. The Gunners got a 1-1 draw with Burnley. Wenger argued that McCarthy did not act "in good faith" for the club.
McCarthy's decision is not without ground. As a team with resources too limited, Wanderers' ultimate aim is to fight for a seat to stay in the Premier League. The schedule of competition is so packed that, 3 games are to be completed in a week. With a win against Tottenham on the first game, and the third game to be held on this Sunday with Burnley, a team in the same class with Wolves, McCarthy decided to focus on that game, and virtually hoisted white flag against Man U.
I do not see Wenger's argument stands. Simply speaking, he put his boys as starters in the League Cup. Could he be described as acting in bad faith? No. Simple economics concept: everything is scarce, every decision has opportunity cost. By grouping the best 11 to fight against Burnley and avoid the Don Quixotic hope of beating Red Devils, McCarthy is acting in the best faith for his employer.
Let see the result after this weekend.
2009年12月16日 星期三
狗米 - 20091216
友人家經營的雜貨店即將易手。言談間，得知原來有種米喚「狗米」。
狗米者，粗糙也，香味遜也。貨源中國，因質次味寡，是故客人買之以餵狗，久而久之，渾號約定俗成。
得悉狗米一物，當下莞爾。心思有三：其一者，原來家犬，除了剩菜骨頭，還吃狗米。要服侍「忠實朋友」，實費功夫。香港地，人甚求其，一般打工仔女，下班回家，大多出外用膳。為了愛犬，原來「無飯夫妻」還會買狗米，炊狗飯，狗兒也真箇幸福。其二者，狗米替代物極多極便，環保者選殘羹，一般懶人選狗餅。就是狗餅，也豐儉由人。高鈣低脂，各適其色。因此，超重肥狗，一街也是。卻原來，麻煩狗米還有市場。其三者，狗米實合現代人脾胃。看官都市人，著重健康者日多，為了高纖，偶吃紅米大有人在。紅米者，本賤價物，披上高纖外衣後，升價十倍。廉價狗米，大可有樣學樣，如再改個好名字，例如「久米」，即吃了命可更長久者，一登龍門，近在咫尺。
罷了。饞嘴輩如我，若為健康，迫嚼那些硬東西，如紅米狗米者，未瘦牙齒也先磨掉了。再者，高纖食物，選擇大把，何若如此作賤自己？因此，硬東西還是留給畜生吧。
狗米者，粗糙也，香味遜也。貨源中國，因質次味寡，是故客人買之以餵狗，久而久之，渾號約定俗成。
得悉狗米一物，當下莞爾。心思有三：其一者，原來家犬，除了剩菜骨頭，還吃狗米。要服侍「忠實朋友」，實費功夫。香港地，人甚求其，一般打工仔女，下班回家，大多出外用膳。為了愛犬，原來「無飯夫妻」還會買狗米，炊狗飯，狗兒也真箇幸福。其二者，狗米替代物極多極便，環保者選殘羹，一般懶人選狗餅。就是狗餅，也豐儉由人。高鈣低脂，各適其色。因此，超重肥狗，一街也是。卻原來，麻煩狗米還有市場。其三者，狗米實合現代人脾胃。看官都市人，著重健康者日多，為了高纖，偶吃紅米大有人在。紅米者，本賤價物，披上高纖外衣後，升價十倍。廉價狗米，大可有樣學樣，如再改個好名字，例如「久米」，即吃了命可更長久者，一登龍門，近在咫尺。
罷了。饞嘴輩如我，若為健康，迫嚼那些硬東西，如紅米狗米者，未瘦牙齒也先磨掉了。再者，高纖食物，選擇大把，何若如此作賤自己？因此，硬東西還是留給畜生吧。
2009年12月14日 星期一
Silvio Berlusconi - 20091214
Silvio Berlusconi, the 73-year-old Italian prime minister, and owner of the football club AC Milan, was assaulted by a 42-year-old man with a record of mental illness. The attacker threw a statuette towards Mr Berlusconi's face, resulted in a broken nose, as well as two knocked-off teeth.
This piece of news was amusing. I believe most of the people would not feel sorry for the notorious Berlusconi, given that the old man is prone to crime. Outrageously admitted a series of extra-marritial affairs, together with endless rumours on bribery, the Divinity finally casted the punishment on the Italian PM, through that little statue. Mrs Berlusconi should be happy.
This old guy is always loathsome. Even in his 70's, Mr Berlusconi is still trying to be a dandy. With that overtly dyed thin hair, always fixed with gel, and the skin as puckered as a turkey, he is an overdone old chap. However, Mr Berlusconi's testosterone level is still so high that, not only as lewd as ever, he is always obsessed with power. His PM seat, somehow overturned at some time, was regained by some dubious means. This calculating old stuff, could still walked out of his car to show off his blood after the attack, knows how to play trick with the mass. To me, he is more a disgusting dilettante.
Regarding the attack, in the sense of conspiracy theory, it could be an organized one. The controversial Berlusconi is never lack of enemies. So, if someone who could arrange some insane to make out the plan, their legal liability could easily be exempted. The attacker, because of insanity, could never have the mens rea to substantiate the charge, and may be sent back to the psychic clinic. In addition, nobody would treat any words from the insane as serious and thus, the real planner is quite save, too.
This piece of news was amusing. I believe most of the people would not feel sorry for the notorious Berlusconi, given that the old man is prone to crime. Outrageously admitted a series of extra-marritial affairs, together with endless rumours on bribery, the Divinity finally casted the punishment on the Italian PM, through that little statue. Mrs Berlusconi should be happy.
This old guy is always loathsome. Even in his 70's, Mr Berlusconi is still trying to be a dandy. With that overtly dyed thin hair, always fixed with gel, and the skin as puckered as a turkey, he is an overdone old chap. However, Mr Berlusconi's testosterone level is still so high that, not only as lewd as ever, he is always obsessed with power. His PM seat, somehow overturned at some time, was regained by some dubious means. This calculating old stuff, could still walked out of his car to show off his blood after the attack, knows how to play trick with the mass. To me, he is more a disgusting dilettante.
Regarding the attack, in the sense of conspiracy theory, it could be an organized one. The controversial Berlusconi is never lack of enemies. So, if someone who could arrange some insane to make out the plan, their legal liability could easily be exempted. The attacker, because of insanity, could never have the mens rea to substantiate the charge, and may be sent back to the psychic clinic. In addition, nobody would treat any words from the insane as serious and thus, the real planner is quite save, too.
2009年12月13日 星期日
波係圓架！ - 20091213
昨天，香港足球隊奇蹟地奪得東亞運金牌；同晚，阿士東維拉一搔廿七年之癢，作客奧脫福擊敗曼聯。
港隊於奪金路上，先後戰勝南韓、朝鮮，最後於決賽打跨日本，絕對實至名歸。美中不足是於小組賽敗於「最討厭的球隊」中國腳下。儘管沒有場場追看，靠於圓方內的百老匯電視前所觀看的大半小時所感，一眾港男確是充滿拚勁，令人耳目一新。 不知和聘用南韓教頭金判坤有否關係？而港隊於分組賽曾以四比一大破南韓，未知金教頭生命又會否受威脅？
足球有它獨有的魔力。說也奇怪，在圓方這麼高檔次的商場內，竟然有過百人駐足百老匯電視屏幕前，肉緊的追看一場技術平庸的足球決賽。在那堆「即興觀眾」中，男人固然多，女人亦不少，連西人也有一、兩個。在比賽中，女人的尖叫次數遠比男人多。到了射十二碼，不論男女，心情都一樣：香港射失，噢！日本射門被救，yeah！到了香港的最後一輪，左腳仔把球冷靜的射進龍門的右方，連鬼佬也一起「yes」了！
一個足球，廿二球員，創造傳奇一刻；一部電視，上百觀眾，剎那心思一樣。
港隊於奪金路上，先後戰勝南韓、朝鮮，最後於決賽打跨日本，絕對實至名歸。美中不足是於小組賽敗於「最討厭的球隊」中國腳下。儘管沒有場場追看，靠於圓方內的百老匯電視前所觀看的大半小時所感，一眾港男確是充滿拚勁，令人耳目一新。 不知和聘用南韓教頭金判坤有否關係？而港隊於分組賽曾以四比一大破南韓，未知金教頭生命又會否受威脅？
足球有它獨有的魔力。說也奇怪，在圓方這麼高檔次的商場內，竟然有過百人駐足百老匯電視屏幕前，肉緊的追看一場技術平庸的足球決賽。在那堆「即興觀眾」中，男人固然多，女人亦不少，連西人也有一、兩個。在比賽中，女人的尖叫次數遠比男人多。到了射十二碼，不論男女，心情都一樣：香港射失，噢！日本射門被救，yeah！到了香港的最後一輪，左腳仔把球冷靜的射進龍門的右方，連鬼佬也一起「yes」了！
一個足球，廿二球員，創造傳奇一刻；一部電視，上百觀眾，剎那心思一樣。
2009年12月11日 星期五
Use of Land - 20091211
Today I attended a hearing in the Small Claims Tribunal. While waiting for my case to be called, another case was amusing enough to be recorded down.
The claimant was the owner of an apartment, whilst the defendant was the administration office of that estate. The claimant had parked his car in a lot, inside the estate, which he subsequently discovered was an official land. For the time being, the claimant continuously paid parking fee to the administration office until he found out the ownership of that plot of land. The claimant sued for the recovery of the parking fee spent.
Since the case was adjourned before the default judgment of mine had been obtained, its result was unknown. However, the claim was a good shot.
Laymen would presume that all the land inside an estate would be administered by the related estate developer. Nevertheless, if people have some knowledge to land law, they would realize that different pieces of land would be subjected to different restriction of use, say public open area have to be reserved in a private estate.
Turn back to the case I've heard. The administration office later posted "No Parking" notice in that parking lot. This notice could serve nothing but ridicule. The owner of this place was the government, and any action could only be taken by officials, and nobody else.
The claimant was the owner of an apartment, whilst the defendant was the administration office of that estate. The claimant had parked his car in a lot, inside the estate, which he subsequently discovered was an official land. For the time being, the claimant continuously paid parking fee to the administration office until he found out the ownership of that plot of land. The claimant sued for the recovery of the parking fee spent.
Since the case was adjourned before the default judgment of mine had been obtained, its result was unknown. However, the claim was a good shot.
Laymen would presume that all the land inside an estate would be administered by the related estate developer. Nevertheless, if people have some knowledge to land law, they would realize that different pieces of land would be subjected to different restriction of use, say public open area have to be reserved in a private estate.
Turn back to the case I've heard. The administration office later posted "No Parking" notice in that parking lot. This notice could serve nothing but ridicule. The owner of this place was the government, and any action could only be taken by officials, and nobody else.
2009年12月10日 星期四
骨灰龕 - 20091210
這陣子，私營骨灰龕堂的合法性鬧得熱烘烘，討論饒有趣味，眾生相收盡眼簾。
最討厭當然是立法會議員的咀面。民主黨李華明，在立法會辯論其間，說這麼多私營龕堂政府也不規管，說不過去。真好笑，租一個小格子也要規管？人家買賣雙方也未哼半句，一直相安無事。好了，為爭見報，又苦無驚人觀點，李議員便使出絕招 - - - 賴政府。其實，這些簡單合約法問題，有千百渠道處理，如法庭、消委會、甚至仲裁等，何須政府插手？
最精明是龕堂商人。他們挑戰法律灰色地帶，就公眾衛生及市政條例第一一八條「人類遺骸」的定義鑽營。法例列明，在「非墳場的地方」埋葬「人類遺骸」，即屬犯法。甚麼是「人類遺骸」？骨頭，是；殘肢，是；那麼，骨灰也是嗎？要看法庭對法例的闡釋了。當然，立法會議員那麼大義凜然，也可以提案修例，趕絕奸商。
http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/76544F70F760CCBD482564840019D2F7/80B7A4EDE06D07C5482565720014B70F?OpenDocument
最有遠見還是鄧小平。著人把骨灰撒入大海，好處多不勝數。一來避免日後遭人鞭屍，二來不用為龕堂合法性憂心，三來骨灰也可滋養海洋。儘管後人在春秋二祭時，可能因欠缺供奉實體而若有所失；但是，瑕不掩瑜，何況時間可沖淡一切呢。
最討厭當然是立法會議員的咀面。民主黨李華明，在立法會辯論其間，說這麼多私營龕堂政府也不規管，說不過去。真好笑，租一個小格子也要規管？人家買賣雙方也未哼半句，一直相安無事。好了，為爭見報，又苦無驚人觀點，李議員便使出絕招 - - - 賴政府。其實，這些簡單合約法問題，有千百渠道處理，如法庭、消委會、甚至仲裁等，何須政府插手？
最精明是龕堂商人。他們挑戰法律灰色地帶，就公眾衛生及市政條例第一一八條「人類遺骸」的定義鑽營。法例列明，在「非墳場的地方」埋葬「人類遺骸」，即屬犯法。甚麼是「人類遺骸」？骨頭，是；殘肢，是；那麼，骨灰也是嗎？要看法庭對法例的闡釋了。當然，立法會議員那麼大義凜然，也可以提案修例，趕絕奸商。
http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/76544F70F760CCBD482564840019D2F7/80B7A4EDE06D07C5482565720014B70F?OpenDocument
最有遠見還是鄧小平。著人把骨灰撒入大海，好處多不勝數。一來避免日後遭人鞭屍，二來不用為龕堂合法性憂心，三來骨灰也可滋養海洋。儘管後人在春秋二祭時，可能因欠缺供奉實體而若有所失；但是，瑕不掩瑜，何況時間可沖淡一切呢。
2009年12月9日 星期三
Divine Punishment - 20091209
A caring officer, Ms Chan, worked for a caring home in Sheung Shui, was convicted of common assault. The crime was so hideous that, the defendant smeared faeces and smacked a 65-year-old patient who suffered from dementia.
The attitude of Ms Chan was outrageous. She categorically denied those allegations, supported by three witnesses. In addition, the defendant was depicted to be so rude that she would address any lodger as "PK". Regarding the witnesses statement, Ms Chan simply said it was fabrication.
Nevertheless, the soundbite of the case was uttered by the Magistrate, Mr Symon Wong. Mr Wong was obviously so abhorred by defendant's vice, and commented in his judgment that Ms Chan would be punished by the Divinity (必遭天譴).
Being the judge of a secular court, Mr Wong could let the justice be done by sticking to the rule of law. Given the maximum penalty of common assault is a one-year imprisonment, no matter how sentimentally disgusting the process of the crime be, Mr Wong could not override the law. Understanding the constraint he faced, Magistrate Wong might have his bad wishes against Ms Chan slipped out of his mouth, and turn to God inside a law court.
Get down to earth please.
The attitude of Ms Chan was outrageous. She categorically denied those allegations, supported by three witnesses. In addition, the defendant was depicted to be so rude that she would address any lodger as "PK". Regarding the witnesses statement, Ms Chan simply said it was fabrication.
Nevertheless, the soundbite of the case was uttered by the Magistrate, Mr Symon Wong. Mr Wong was obviously so abhorred by defendant's vice, and commented in his judgment that Ms Chan would be punished by the Divinity (必遭天譴).
Being the judge of a secular court, Mr Wong could let the justice be done by sticking to the rule of law. Given the maximum penalty of common assault is a one-year imprisonment, no matter how sentimentally disgusting the process of the crime be, Mr Wong could not override the law. Understanding the constraint he faced, Magistrate Wong might have his bad wishes against Ms Chan slipped out of his mouth, and turn to God inside a law court.
Get down to earth please.
2009年12月8日 星期二
濕地公園 - 20091208
這兩日，天色時陰時雨。幸虧上班，室外天氣是好是壞，也沒甚麼分別。回想星期日，在陽光燦爛的下午到濕地公園一遊，仍覺十分寫意。
其實，這次已經是第二次到濕地公園了。可是上一次到來，公園還未對外開放，我們只能在四周游走，最記得那個入口上方的斜草坪。所以，實則上，星期日是我第一次進入濕地公園遊覽。
成人入場費才三十元，便宜極了。買了票，步行至閘口，將票根插入卡槽，成功進入。濕地公園主要分成兩個部分：室內的小展館及戶外的公園。
先到公園。棄鱷貝貝，因緣際會，由山背河移居至濕地公園的獨立屋，山雞變鳳凰。可恨此蠢物不感恩，任憑遊人如何招引，牠故我依然，只懶洋洋的橫攤著晒太陽，動也不動。我們也不理牠，沿路慢步，觀賞花鳥蟲魚。可能香港不斷有太多的新景點，所以即使是星期天，人也不算太多。最奇怪是竟然看到一對新人在園內拍結婚照！可憐石屎森林，要找戶外場景拍照絕不容易。公園面積不算大，繞場一周需兩小時。園內東西一般美好：荷花、蟹仔、雀仔、樹 . . . 如果是天水圍居民，買一個annual pass，便可隨時隨地從水泥屋陣躲入陽光樹林了。
再行展館。劃分成餐廳、精品店及展覽廳。餐廳是大家樂，食品和外邊沒兩樣，環境卻是第一流。超高樓底，落地玻璃，環抱水天一色。價格縱是稍高，亦無大礙。精品店都是一般的毛娃娃貝貝、黑面琵鷺等，無甚看頭。至於展覽廳，主要在水族館部分徘徊。只是看到彈塗魚在把玩沙粒，吃完又吐，已經非常過癮了。行畢，離開公園，不需再次把入場卷插入卡槽，只消停在閘口，自動感應器便會「芝麻開門」了。
走出濕地公園，再走上斜草坪，又見到那對新人，另加一群姊妹。看見一標語，會心微笑，曰：請勿在草地野餐。心想，還能在那裡野餐？如此大片草地，如此開闊天空，不准野餐，也算是暴殄天物吧。
2009年12月7日 星期一
Life, Daunting - 20091207
Greg Oden, the NBA 1st draft in 2007, of Portland Trail Blazers, broke his left patella yesterday. Across the Atlantic Ocean, at the same time, Jimmy Bullard, the star of Hull City, injured his left knee badly, in the English Premier League game against Aston Villa.
Injury is a part of athletes life. However, Oden and Bullard are especially unfortunate. Both of them have just recovered from a serious one. When they thought that the plague was over, a new one was contracted.
Oden, with the enormous body, is expected to be providing the defence Portland yearns for. If a healthy Oden is playing on court, combining the attack provided by the All-star guard Brandon Roy, Portland could be a very dangerous team in the Western Conference of NBA. However, the realization of this dream has to be postponed for another year, subject to Oden's full recovery from the fracture.
Bullard's case was even more heartbreaking. A late-comer to the football world, Bullard raised to fame by showing his star quality in Fulham in his late 20's. Just returned from a 9-month injury, Bullard's exceptional performance helped turning Hull City in form. Before he sprained his knee, Bullard was just honoured the player of the month in November. Sadly, bad luck was casted again on the 31-year-old.
So, life is cruel. No matter how hard you fight against adversity, it could vanquish your tiny resistance, so effortlessly.
Injury is a part of athletes life. However, Oden and Bullard are especially unfortunate. Both of them have just recovered from a serious one. When they thought that the plague was over, a new one was contracted.
Oden, with the enormous body, is expected to be providing the defence Portland yearns for. If a healthy Oden is playing on court, combining the attack provided by the All-star guard Brandon Roy, Portland could be a very dangerous team in the Western Conference of NBA. However, the realization of this dream has to be postponed for another year, subject to Oden's full recovery from the fracture.
Bullard's case was even more heartbreaking. A late-comer to the football world, Bullard raised to fame by showing his star quality in Fulham in his late 20's. Just returned from a 9-month injury, Bullard's exceptional performance helped turning Hull City in form. Before he sprained his knee, Bullard was just honoured the player of the month in November. Sadly, bad luck was casted again on the 31-year-old.
So, life is cruel. No matter how hard you fight against adversity, it could vanquish your tiny resistance, so effortlessly.
2009年12月6日 星期日
東亞運 - 20091206
東亞運動會於昨晚正式開幕。吊詭地，有部分賽事於更早時間已經展開，香港亦已奪兩面金牌。
從來不會祈望香港能搞一個有創意的運動會。不過，辦一個暢順的東亞運，香港總不會令人失望吧？可惜，暫時所見，事與願違。
首先，賽事之初，賣票安排實貽笑大方。要觀賞比賽，觀眾竟然不能在場地現場買票！一個低級官員「解釋」，如在新伊館看比賽，到通利琴行買入場卷也只是箭步之遙，不會造成不便云云。真搞笑，東亞運好醜也是區域賽事，日本南韓大陸人鬼知甚麼是城市電腦售票網？就算上水師奶，要摸到新伊館已不是易事，還要「遺返」她到通利？太不近人情了吧。經傳媒口誅筆伐，政府才從善如流，安排現場賣票。
此外，閒日比賽高掛著「貴賓席」標籤的空櫈觸目皆是。記者訪問入場觀眾感想，市民稱，「貴賓席」空櫈佔據最有利位置；而她們購票所得位置太差太遠，根本看不出甚麼鳥來。官僚主義越發根深柢固，市民大眾更見疏離。其實，籌辦這個甚麼鬼東亞運的資金便是公帑，貴賓不是普羅大眾還有誰？
還雄心壯志的說要搞亞運，不要開玩笑了。
從來不會祈望香港能搞一個有創意的運動會。不過，辦一個暢順的東亞運，香港總不會令人失望吧？可惜，暫時所見，事與願違。
首先，賽事之初，賣票安排實貽笑大方。要觀賞比賽，觀眾竟然不能在場地現場買票！一個低級官員「解釋」，如在新伊館看比賽，到通利琴行買入場卷也只是箭步之遙，不會造成不便云云。真搞笑，東亞運好醜也是區域賽事，日本南韓大陸人鬼知甚麼是城市電腦售票網？就算上水師奶，要摸到新伊館已不是易事，還要「遺返」她到通利？太不近人情了吧。經傳媒口誅筆伐，政府才從善如流，安排現場賣票。
此外，閒日比賽高掛著「貴賓席」標籤的空櫈觸目皆是。記者訪問入場觀眾感想，市民稱，「貴賓席」空櫈佔據最有利位置；而她們購票所得位置太差太遠，根本看不出甚麼鳥來。官僚主義越發根深柢固，市民大眾更見疏離。其實，籌辦這個甚麼鬼東亞運的資金便是公帑，貴賓不是普羅大眾還有誰？
還雄心壯志的說要搞亞運，不要開玩笑了。
2009年12月4日 星期五
Minaret Ban - 20091204
Switzerland had recently conducted a referendum on the prohibition of constructing minaret, a symbol of Muslim architecture. Unexpectedly, the ban was approved, with about 58% voters went for it.
The plaque of Islamophobia is so wide-spread around the world. Even Switzerland, carrying the symbol of neutrality all along, could not be exempted. According to perception, all the stuff in Switzerland is healthy. Federer, Rolex, Alps etc. Switzerland is always immaculate and well-liked. However, the referendum pricked the bubble. The signal of hatred has been handed down.
Democracy is surely not without deficiency. Historically, democracy has been utilized by the autocratic regimes for control and censorship, quite often. Most prominently, the cleansing of Jews under the Nazi Germany was permitted by the public. Even in our everyday life, the machine of democracy has been operated along the officialdom. The eradication of keeping backyard poultry after SARS in Hong Kong is an example.
To fulfill democracy in the genuine sense, tolerance is the key. For every decision to be made by balloting, the sufferance of minority is predetermined. Thus, to minimize the polarization resulted in any decision to be made, paradoxically, the fewer issues on the agenda, the lesser the acrimony.
Sadly, even Switzerland is now against tolerance and go for legislation, the freedom we could enjoy dwindles.
2009年12月3日 星期四
現形 - 20091203
老虎活士早前於零晨時份，在住所附近慢速「炒車」。事後，活士被抖出浪接浪的緋聞。
貴為高球壇，甚至整個體育界最炙手可熱的人馬，昔日老虎的新聞，除了高球，便是高球。他的私生活極度低調，平常絕不會在娛樂版看到他的影子。於是，大家也希冀老虎的一切也和他的球技一樣高，譬如道德。
可惜，老虎終於現形了。他的婚外情對象，至今為止，不是「名媛」，便是侍應。這顯示，老虎，和北伐港男一樣，也只是一頭飢不擇食的野獸罷了。從照片看，她們都是一些極庸俗的女子；此外，那些「情慾短訊」，內容也異常粗鄙，甚麼令你虛脫的。樂觀想，老虎也只是貫徹他對女人的口味吧 - - - 平民化。「老虎乸」依蓮未嫁前，只是一個保母。
真可惜，王廸絲的名言又應驗了：「十個男人九個嫖，仲有一個在動搖！」。
貴為高球壇，甚至整個體育界最炙手可熱的人馬，昔日老虎的新聞，除了高球，便是高球。他的私生活極度低調，平常絕不會在娛樂版看到他的影子。於是，大家也希冀老虎的一切也和他的球技一樣高，譬如道德。
可惜，老虎終於現形了。他的婚外情對象，至今為止，不是「名媛」，便是侍應。這顯示，老虎，和北伐港男一樣，也只是一頭飢不擇食的野獸罷了。從照片看，她們都是一些極庸俗的女子；此外，那些「情慾短訊」，內容也異常粗鄙，甚麼令你虛脫的。樂觀想，老虎也只是貫徹他對女人的口味吧 - - - 平民化。「老虎乸」依蓮未嫁前，只是一個保母。
真可惜，王廸絲的名言又應驗了：「十個男人九個嫖，仲有一個在動搖！」。
2009年12月2日 星期三
Stay or Depart? - 20091202
Doctor Gao (高耀潔) introduced her new book《血災：10000封信》 in US instead of China. By keeping the numerous catastrophic precedents in mind, like 譚作人's investigation of the Sichan Earthquake, doctor Gao's decision could not be described as inexpedient.
Chinese intellectuals are always pathetic. Except some of the very special time, say 春秋戰國 and 魏晉南北朝, the element of "independency" could hardly be discovered in their blood. Intellectuals are usually annexed to the aristocracy. Thus, if you are not working for those holding the power, distinctive sufferance will be followed. As we can see, two of the just pass-away giants, 楊憲益 and 王世襄, were tormented badly during the cultural revolution.
Thus, as doctor Gao insisted that the figure of AIDS patients should be well beyond the official-uttered 740,000, she was challenging her mother nation. If she did not depart for US, the label of subversion would have been casted on her. The efficient legal system of China would hand down and execute any judgment they like, by defying all overseas protest.
By renouncing the devil, doctor Gao made the right decision. To raise the genuine concern of AIDS patients in China to the world, in the expenses of her own, doctor Gao is the real hero and patriot. She deserves the Noble peace prize than the present laureate, so much more.
Chinese intellectuals are always pathetic. Except some of the very special time, say 春秋戰國 and 魏晉南北朝, the element of "independency" could hardly be discovered in their blood. Intellectuals are usually annexed to the aristocracy. Thus, if you are not working for those holding the power, distinctive sufferance will be followed. As we can see, two of the just pass-away giants, 楊憲益 and 王世襄, were tormented badly during the cultural revolution.
Thus, as doctor Gao insisted that the figure of AIDS patients should be well beyond the official-uttered 740,000, she was challenging her mother nation. If she did not depart for US, the label of subversion would have been casted on her. The efficient legal system of China would hand down and execute any judgment they like, by defying all overseas protest.
By renouncing the devil, doctor Gao made the right decision. To raise the genuine concern of AIDS patients in China to the world, in the expenses of her own, doctor Gao is the real hero and patriot. She deserves the Noble peace prize than the present laureate, so much more.
2009年12月1日 星期二
龍門酒樓 - 20091201
龍門酒樓，生於一九四九年，卒於二零零九年，活了一整個甲子。今起，傳統食店，又少一家。
位處鬧市灣仔莊士敦道，比鄰修頓球場，人聲頂沸。曾於附近供職，常於午膳時間往來龍門左右，惜過其門不入也。今以四億二千萬圓出售全棟物業，實非經營酒家微利可比。再者，春蛋燒賣、大包等賤物，背負高膽固醇及脂肪之污名，俗人敬而遠之。尤有甚之，此等下欄貨色，製作繁複，如金錢雞者，實以冰糖醃肥豬肉，待以一、兩天，繼而與枚頭及雞肝串起，以炭火烤熟。試問有誰個傻蛋會花此等時間烹之？既缺鍾期，也乏易牙。
反而，龍門的兄弟龍鳳茶樓，小時偶有光顧。座落旺角山東街，佔地數層。富裕人家往「茶王廳」，我家當到普通大廳。老婦推著點心車四處兜售，皆為傳統食品，舉目不見如炸多春魚等邪物。咸點如蝦餃雞札，甜點如白糖糕芝麻糕，條理分明，星羅棋布。那時，最覺新奇是茶水奉之以焗盅，以盅蓋刮走泡沫，想是令茶更滑。實效不明，惟此舉引發之觸感、以致聲音，不復見矣。可恨龍鳳比龍門消失更早，而我家到旺角飲茶之習亦一去不返。
於點心紙風行之今天，懷舊也只好「想」當年矣。難道要待官辦的甚麼鬼古物古蹟甚麼署去把歷史殘喘苟延下去嗎？
位處鬧市灣仔莊士敦道，比鄰修頓球場，人聲頂沸。曾於附近供職，常於午膳時間往來龍門左右，惜過其門不入也。今以四億二千萬圓出售全棟物業，實非經營酒家微利可比。再者，春蛋燒賣、大包等賤物，背負高膽固醇及脂肪之污名，俗人敬而遠之。尤有甚之，此等下欄貨色，製作繁複，如金錢雞者，實以冰糖醃肥豬肉，待以一、兩天，繼而與枚頭及雞肝串起，以炭火烤熟。試問有誰個傻蛋會花此等時間烹之？既缺鍾期，也乏易牙。
反而，龍門的兄弟龍鳳茶樓，小時偶有光顧。座落旺角山東街，佔地數層。富裕人家往「茶王廳」，我家當到普通大廳。老婦推著點心車四處兜售，皆為傳統食品，舉目不見如炸多春魚等邪物。咸點如蝦餃雞札，甜點如白糖糕芝麻糕，條理分明，星羅棋布。那時，最覺新奇是茶水奉之以焗盅，以盅蓋刮走泡沫，想是令茶更滑。實效不明，惟此舉引發之觸感、以致聲音，不復見矣。可恨龍鳳比龍門消失更早，而我家到旺角飲茶之習亦一去不返。
於點心紙風行之今天，懷舊也只好「想」當年矣。難道要待官辦的甚麼鬼古物古蹟甚麼署去把歷史殘喘苟延下去嗎？
2009年11月30日 星期一
Disappointing - 20091130
Yesterday Chelsea blasted Arsenal by 3-0. More humiliatingly, the victory took place in the Emirates Stadium. During the live broadcast, after Didier Drogba scored the first goal, one of the commentators said "Arsenal play the football, Chelsea with the goal". He hit the bull's eye.
Throughout the years, Arsenal have been exhibiting how beautiful football should be. Cesc Fabragas, as the commander-in-chief in the midfield, controls the flow of the Gunners attack seamlessly. Other quality players, Van Persie, Arshavin, Eduardo etc, being fed by Cesc, manufactures the goals in due course. However, football is not only about putting the ball into the net.
The Gunners lack the fighting spirit. There is no doubt that there are full house of talents in Arsenal. Nevertheless, most of them are premature. For example, Fabragas, putting on the captain badge, is only 22. Most of others are only around 20, or even younger. Arsenal's competence to shine from behind is yet to be proved. In the previous match against Sunderland, they lost 1-0. And this week, defeat repeated in similar fashion, or worse. The Gunners fail to fire.
Without somebody like Drogba who could ignite the fighting spirit, Arsenal's drought could continue. Though I'm a half-fan of them and yearning for the victory of beauty.
Throughout the years, Arsenal have been exhibiting how beautiful football should be. Cesc Fabragas, as the commander-in-chief in the midfield, controls the flow of the Gunners attack seamlessly. Other quality players, Van Persie, Arshavin, Eduardo etc, being fed by Cesc, manufactures the goals in due course. However, football is not only about putting the ball into the net.
The Gunners lack the fighting spirit. There is no doubt that there are full house of talents in Arsenal. Nevertheless, most of them are premature. For example, Fabragas, putting on the captain badge, is only 22. Most of others are only around 20, or even younger. Arsenal's competence to shine from behind is yet to be proved. In the previous match against Sunderland, they lost 1-0. And this week, defeat repeated in similar fashion, or worse. The Gunners fail to fire.
Without somebody like Drogba who could ignite the fighting spirit, Arsenal's drought could continue. Though I'm a half-fan of them and yearning for the victory of beauty.
2009年11月28日 星期六
裝修 - 20091128
老家屋邨入伙已超過廿年。近日，裝修像傳染病般蔓延。樓上的剛完成了，隔壁的又隨即展開，灰塵、電鑽聲等沒完沒了的炮轟，煩。
有時，也慶幸閒日要上班。要不然，每天也要置身於像阿富汗山區，抵擋停不了的侵襲，人不發癲才怪。所以，要在香港地做甚麼草食男、電車男，忍耐力也要很高。
像今天星期六，士兵們準時早上九點便上戰場。戴上報紙摺好的頭盔，穿上重型靴子，精神抖擻，完全進入戰爭狀態。電鑽插入電座，手戴上手套，瞄準牆壁：一、二、三 . . . 嘭嘭嘭嘭嘭 . . . 我只有扯白旗投降了。
當裝修大功告成，隔壁的師奶們爭先恐後的到示範單位參觀。「嘩，好靚呀！」「成間皇宮咁喎！」讚嘆之聲此起彼落。當然，師奶們知道，為了滿足八掛慾望，賣口乖是不能避免的入場費。
不過，當師奶們返到自己的狗窩，對著爛賭老公，都只會說：「挑！爛鬼公屋使唔使裝到咁撚靚呀？」
有時，也慶幸閒日要上班。要不然，每天也要置身於像阿富汗山區，抵擋停不了的侵襲，人不發癲才怪。所以，要在香港地做甚麼草食男、電車男，忍耐力也要很高。
像今天星期六，士兵們準時早上九點便上戰場。戴上報紙摺好的頭盔，穿上重型靴子，精神抖擻，完全進入戰爭狀態。電鑽插入電座，手戴上手套，瞄準牆壁：一、二、三 . . . 嘭嘭嘭嘭嘭 . . . 我只有扯白旗投降了。
當裝修大功告成，隔壁的師奶們爭先恐後的到示範單位參觀。「嘩，好靚呀！」「成間皇宮咁喎！」讚嘆之聲此起彼落。當然，師奶們知道，為了滿足八掛慾望，賣口乖是不能避免的入場費。
不過，當師奶們返到自己的狗窩，對著爛賭老公，都只會說：「挑！爛鬼公屋使唔使裝到咁撚靚呀？」
2009年11月27日 星期五
Dubai - 20091127
When all the people think that the financial crisis has been gone, and the market has been speculating anything pushed into there. Just to name some, the $70,000 per square feet apartment, all the new listed stocks . . . Ironically, the ultra-wealthy nation Dubai is reported in default of debt out of the blue. Financial markets worldwide respond by a contraction today, the Hang Seng index has a 1,000-point plunge. It exemplifies how fragile the world is.
Dubai is a mirage. Any wonder there is so avant garde. The highest building in the world, the state-of-the-art hotels, those man made palm islands . . . However, all these stuff are merely hardware. With my next-to-nothing knowledge of Dubai, I am not aware of any famous "software" over there. Literature? Philosophy? . . . Anyway, if any intellectual in Dubai has a glimpse to Chinese philosophy, say I Ching, and understand the meaning of 降龍有悔, today's market slump might have been avoided.
After all, Dubai is no America. They could never save themselves by printing money and forcing other countries to buy their bonds. Physically, they are not as strong as Uncle Sam.
Dubai is a mirage. Any wonder there is so avant garde. The highest building in the world, the state-of-the-art hotels, those man made palm islands . . . However, all these stuff are merely hardware. With my next-to-nothing knowledge of Dubai, I am not aware of any famous "software" over there. Literature? Philosophy? . . . Anyway, if any intellectual in Dubai has a glimpse to Chinese philosophy, say I Ching, and understand the meaning of 降龍有悔, today's market slump might have been avoided.
After all, Dubai is no America. They could never save themselves by printing money and forcing other countries to buy their bonds. Physically, they are not as strong as Uncle Sam.
2009年11月26日 星期四
艾弗遜 - 20091126
盛傳「一代戰神」艾弗遜將會宣佈退休，有點可惜。
曾幾何時，艾弗遜也瘋魔萬千香港球迷。無他，以僅僅六尺的身高，於「高手」如雲的NBA裏戰鬥了這麼多年。單挑佐敦、4屆NBA得分王、以一己之力帶領費城自由人進身NBA總決賽，儘管敗於大熱湖人手下 . . . 艾弗遜無比的鬥心實在極具感染力。香港人身材較矮，看到艾弗遜打球，往往也幻想自己可以有點似他，成為擊倒哥利亞的大衛。可惜，艾弗遜至今始終未嘗總冠軍滋味，而香港也未有人能打NBA。
艾弗遜最大的問題是，不能接受由牡丹轉型為綠葉。年紀漸大，傷痛日多，爆炸力下降，靠「摌籃」搵食的他得分漸減。其他人都知道了，自己應該都知道了，只是做慣大佬，不能想像做阿二、阿三甚至阿四的滋味。其實，籃球是團體運動，只要各司其職，明眼人便能看到。看看加納特便知道。
現實總是殘酷的。
曾幾何時，艾弗遜也瘋魔萬千香港球迷。無他，以僅僅六尺的身高，於「高手」如雲的NBA裏戰鬥了這麼多年。單挑佐敦、4屆NBA得分王、以一己之力帶領費城自由人進身NBA總決賽，儘管敗於大熱湖人手下 . . . 艾弗遜無比的鬥心實在極具感染力。香港人身材較矮，看到艾弗遜打球，往往也幻想自己可以有點似他，成為擊倒哥利亞的大衛。可惜，艾弗遜至今始終未嘗總冠軍滋味，而香港也未有人能打NBA。
艾弗遜最大的問題是，不能接受由牡丹轉型為綠葉。年紀漸大，傷痛日多，爆炸力下降，靠「摌籃」搵食的他得分漸減。其他人都知道了，自己應該都知道了，只是做慣大佬，不能想像做阿二、阿三甚至阿四的滋味。其實，籃球是團體運動，只要各司其職，明眼人便能看到。看看加納特便知道。
現實總是殘酷的。
2009年11月25日 星期三
Philippines Massacre - 20091125
Mindanao Island, located in the southern part of Philippines, raised to fame overnight, albeit a notorious one. 46 people, including 12 journalists, were killed in a massacre suspected to be related to election. Some of the victims were mutilated, others were raped, even pregnant, before the bloody killing was taken place.
The scale and cruelty of the crime was so ridiculous that any hair raiser would be overpowered. As said by Tagore, "Man is worse than an animal when he is an animal", the massacre is the best representation of the maxim. Philippines, though a democratic country, bribery is so outrageously blatant. With the idiotic Arroyo refusing to leave her seat, Philippines have been lawless for a long time.
The Philippines tragedy could never be occurred in a better timing. We Hong Kongers are clamouring for the time table of universal suffrage again at the moment. The massacre could easily be cited by those "Chinese officials and co.", to promote the dark side of democracy and thus the progress of universal suffrage in Hong Kong should never be too quick. In addition, Szeto Wah added oil on the fuel by outwardly criticized Martin Lee for the "quitting proposal of Legislature". Until I die, Hong Kong could never realize the ultimate goal of democracy.
Though the governance of Philippines sucks, there is still press freedom to whip the massacre openly. Moreover, Arroyo must go according to the constitution in half year. Thus, in this sense, Philippines is still a better place than those autocratic states.
The scale and cruelty of the crime was so ridiculous that any hair raiser would be overpowered. As said by Tagore, "Man is worse than an animal when he is an animal", the massacre is the best representation of the maxim. Philippines, though a democratic country, bribery is so outrageously blatant. With the idiotic Arroyo refusing to leave her seat, Philippines have been lawless for a long time.
The Philippines tragedy could never be occurred in a better timing. We Hong Kongers are clamouring for the time table of universal suffrage again at the moment. The massacre could easily be cited by those "Chinese officials and co.", to promote the dark side of democracy and thus the progress of universal suffrage in Hong Kong should never be too quick. In addition, Szeto Wah added oil on the fuel by outwardly criticized Martin Lee for the "quitting proposal of Legislature". Until I die, Hong Kong could never realize the ultimate goal of democracy.
Though the governance of Philippines sucks, there is still press freedom to whip the massacre openly. Moreover, Arroyo must go according to the constitution in half year. Thus, in this sense, Philippines is still a better place than those autocratic states.
2009年11月23日 星期一
配對 - 20091123
報紙肥皂劇「兩港女北上釣金龜」曲終人散，結局悲喜參半。港大才女周小姐成功配對「大陸周潤發」；而建築師林小姐則因要求過高，大熱倒灶。此正是「革命尚未成功，同志仍須努力」也。
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/article/091122/3/faun.html
據說，港大才女最終成就「周周戀」，主因是「大陸周潤發」於配對中沒有三心兩意，從一而終的死咬著周女不放，結果打動才女芳心，令她接受富豪的紅玫瑰。戀愛介紹所形容，這猶如「王子與公主終於在一起，令人感動！」
真不明白，女權分子此時此刻躲到那裡去？如此這般赤裸裸的踐踏女性尊嚴，活脫脫的為暴發戶以金錢掛帥招妻，這口氣還嚥得下？封建思想陰魂不散呀！
更可恨的是，這兩位港女皆為有學識之輩，又碩士又建築師甚麼的，卻「自甘墜落」，寧背負貪錢之惡名，也要「北伐」尋夫。為了實現下半生「印印腳」的理想，雙姝抱「雖千萬人吾往矣」的心態勇往直前，可堪稱「現代花木蘭」。
說認真，只不過是世界難撈，搵食艱難也。
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/article/091122/3/faun.html
據說，港大才女最終成就「周周戀」，主因是「大陸周潤發」於配對中沒有三心兩意，從一而終的死咬著周女不放，結果打動才女芳心，令她接受富豪的紅玫瑰。戀愛介紹所形容，這猶如「王子與公主終於在一起，令人感動！」
真不明白，女權分子此時此刻躲到那裡去？如此這般赤裸裸的踐踏女性尊嚴，活脫脫的為暴發戶以金錢掛帥招妻，這口氣還嚥得下？封建思想陰魂不散呀！
更可恨的是，這兩位港女皆為有學識之輩，又碩士又建築師甚麼的，卻「自甘墜落」，寧背負貪錢之惡名，也要「北伐」尋夫。為了實現下半生「印印腳」的理想，雙姝抱「雖千萬人吾往矣」的心態勇往直前，可堪稱「現代花木蘭」。
說認真，只不過是世界難撈，搵食艱難也。
2009年11月21日 星期六
Kafka on the Shore - 20091121
Until I've read What I Talk About When I talk About Running, Haruki Murakami to me could hardly be anything but chic. When I was still a youngster, tried to be stylish, I picked up the Norwegian Wood which gave me no pleasure, except those sporadic sex scenes. Obviously I was too naive by then. Yesterday, I've completed the reading of Kafka on the Shore, a real fascinating novel that I could not stop flipping pages after pages in those cold nights of the previous week.
It is so sad that most of us lacks the guidance to understand different styles of writing. If people are not graduates of Arts, 99% of them would start scratching head if the novel on hand is not narrative. However, the world is so big and could absorb many different genres of writing, say magical realism. Thus, by turning a blind eye on imagination, we would put down those head-scratchers. Murakami's would be one of those.
In addition, generally speaking, I hate those Taiwan-translation pieces very much. The "Chinese" in it is always so winding. With the previous reading experience of Yukio Mishima's Forbidden Colour, that I gave up the awful Chinese version on half way, and embraced the English version to complete the reading with a fruitful experience. I thus picked up the English translation of Kafka on the Shore at the very beginning and the time spent was very nice.
So, although the 1Q84 is very hot these days, for the sake of better understanding, I would wait for the English version.
It is so sad that most of us lacks the guidance to understand different styles of writing. If people are not graduates of Arts, 99% of them would start scratching head if the novel on hand is not narrative. However, the world is so big and could absorb many different genres of writing, say magical realism. Thus, by turning a blind eye on imagination, we would put down those head-scratchers. Murakami's would be one of those.
In addition, generally speaking, I hate those Taiwan-translation pieces very much. The "Chinese" in it is always so winding. With the previous reading experience of Yukio Mishima's Forbidden Colour, that I gave up the awful Chinese version on half way, and embraced the English version to complete the reading with a fruitful experience. I thus picked up the English translation of Kafka on the Shore at the very beginning and the time spent was very nice.
So, although the 1Q84 is very hot these days, for the sake of better understanding, I would wait for the English version.
2009年11月20日 星期五
投入感 - 20091120
以下事件，若非我耳聞目睹，實在很難相信是真事。
本星期，香港持續寒冷，就算今天預計回暖，清晨還很涼快。因此，這陣子早上上班，從羅湖出來的火車，人也比平時小。太凍了，可以賴床的也賴床，可以請病假的也請病假吧，我們那麼精明。
就是我媽媽的老闆 - - - 排骨，家住深圳，也認為太冷了。他星期一晚致電我家，恰巧媽媽洗澡，我接聽來電。排骨說天冷，星期二還是延遲至七時後開舖吧，著我告訴媽媽。平日，媽媽六時二十分便上班。
媽媽聽到消息，道：「梗係唔得啦，咁凍，d學生哥無串熱野食點得呀。」
翌日，六時五十分，我如常起床。隔五分鐘，排骨來電，本想叫媽媽跟他先一起飲茶，後再開檔。可是，媽媽早已上班去了，如常。
其實，媽媽「蠢」成這般，我們精仔實望塵莫及。
本星期，香港持續寒冷，就算今天預計回暖，清晨還很涼快。因此，這陣子早上上班，從羅湖出來的火車，人也比平時小。太凍了，可以賴床的也賴床，可以請病假的也請病假吧，我們那麼精明。
就是我媽媽的老闆 - - - 排骨，家住深圳，也認為太冷了。他星期一晚致電我家，恰巧媽媽洗澡，我接聽來電。排骨說天冷，星期二還是延遲至七時後開舖吧，著我告訴媽媽。平日，媽媽六時二十分便上班。
媽媽聽到消息，道：「梗係唔得啦，咁凍，d學生哥無串熱野食點得呀。」
翌日，六時五十分，我如常起床。隔五分鐘，排骨來電，本想叫媽媽跟他先一起飲茶，後再開檔。可是，媽媽早已上班去了，如常。
其實，媽媽「蠢」成這般，我們精仔實望塵莫及。
2009年11月19日 星期四
Cheating - 20091119
Yesterday, France knocked out Ireland in the World Cup play-off match, from a goal illegally assisted by Thierry Henry, in the extra time. Henry admitted, after the match, that though he intentionally touched the ball by hand, the responsibility of judging should be on the shoulder of referees.
Cunning pretext. Henry clearly wanted to shovel off his sin, by blurring his trick with those natural errors, say misjudgment of off-side. However, he could never succeed. The true concern of the issue is intention. Henry understood too well that if he had not used his hand to control the ball, it would have been bounced out the baseline and a goal kick would subsequently be given to Ireland. Thus, he used his hand, twice, to tame the ball and crossed it for Gallas's later tap-in-by-head. Henry's act is comparable to diving in the box, which is outrageous cheating.
On the contrary, for those misjudges that intention is irrelevant, like whether the whole ball has crossed the line, it is then the referees' responsibility. To me, this kind of misinterpretation is acceptable, because men are prone to mistake by nature. Until instant replay is introduced to the game, these unintentional accidents are irrelevant to fairness. It's pure statistics.
Being the culprit of the crime, it's particularly nauseous for Henry to point finger at others. Just shame on him.
2009年11月18日 星期三
禦寒 - 20091118
只是十一月矣而，寒流無聲無色的提早來臨。這兩天，早上氣溫也低過十度，至中午也只是十四、五度左右。對身處亞熱帶的我們，習慣炎熱，十多度「低溫」已經夠凍死了。
大清早上班，在路口等小巴。天下著毛毛細雨，車輛經過輕濺起水花沾濕了褲邊。季候風使勁的吹，毫不留情的逼迫著暴露於空氣中的身體 - - - 面頰、耳朵、頸項 . . . 更甚的是，只要有空間，例如袖口、褲腳，風絕不放過任何機會，乘虛而入，上半身由手掌吹入手掙而至兩脇止；下半身更甚，冷風沿腳眼、小腿而上，直搗黃龍，最後連小兄弟也似被冰鎮了。
撐著雨傘，心裡期盼小巴快到。只是，看著紅綠燈號交差替換，車就是未到。雨繼續洒，風繼續吹，人逐漸由魚生變冰條。早餐尚沒下肚，有甚麼方法可以使人暖一些？聽歌！
首選當然是rock。可恨平日不聽Metallica之類的東西，如斯天寒地凍，他們應是禦寒佳品。惟有在mp3找些替代物吧。番來覆去，The Verve、Radiohead等皆可以令人有即時血脈沸騰的效果，使我及時保命，頂著冷，等到小巴到來。上了車，需要更持久的血脈沸騰，可揀選God Speed You Black Emperor的，一首post-rock作品，足夠使身體熾熱廿分鐘。
始終，音樂只能製造幻覺。要實在驅寒，還是下車，趕快到茶餐廳吃早餐。呷一口熱奶茶，暖燙心腸；吃一口即食麵，堅實腸胃。
2009年11月17日 星期二
Unfriend - 20091117
The word "unfriend" becomes Oxford word of the year 2009. According to the Oxford dictionary, the definition of "unfriend", as a verb, is "to remove someone as a 'friend' on a social networking site such as Facebook."
Internet has blurred the line between acquaintances and friends. In the old days, the two are quite distinguishable. For acquaintances, dealings are limited to customary smiling and greeting. Regarding friends, depending on the depth of trust and intimacy, exchange of personal stuff should be involved. Since the invention of internet, communication barriers around the world have virtually been demolished, except those communist states which information would still be filtered. From Icq to Facebook, the types of information could be exchanged have been greatly expanded, from text to photos, videos etc. Thus, no matter acquaintances or friends, everybody could see and be seen conveniently via Facebook and thus, your acquaintances could get access to your data in the friend-level.
Somehow, it would be quite strange to know that some introverts could have 100+ friends in the Facebook. Are you kidding? These friends, their friendship could be confirmed easily. By clicking a button for invitation, and a mere confirmation from the other party, done. One day, out of no matter reason, you don't feel like keeping his icon in your account, this person could be "unfriend" in the same manner. The eyesore is deleted, right?
That's no difference with ostrich in the sand. Once your information has been internet-accessible, anyone could copy anything without your prior consent. So, the villain you may though have unfriended, he could have already got your stuff, say nude photos, which could never be recalled.
After all, nowadays, friends are too fickle to be unfriended.
Internet has blurred the line between acquaintances and friends. In the old days, the two are quite distinguishable. For acquaintances, dealings are limited to customary smiling and greeting. Regarding friends, depending on the depth of trust and intimacy, exchange of personal stuff should be involved. Since the invention of internet, communication barriers around the world have virtually been demolished, except those communist states which information would still be filtered. From Icq to Facebook, the types of information could be exchanged have been greatly expanded, from text to photos, videos etc. Thus, no matter acquaintances or friends, everybody could see and be seen conveniently via Facebook and thus, your acquaintances could get access to your data in the friend-level.
Somehow, it would be quite strange to know that some introverts could have 100+ friends in the Facebook. Are you kidding? These friends, their friendship could be confirmed easily. By clicking a button for invitation, and a mere confirmation from the other party, done. One day, out of no matter reason, you don't feel like keeping his icon in your account, this person could be "unfriend" in the same manner. The eyesore is deleted, right?
That's no difference with ostrich in the sand. Once your information has been internet-accessible, anyone could copy anything without your prior consent. So, the villain you may though have unfriended, he could have already got your stuff, say nude photos, which could never be recalled.
After all, nowadays, friends are too fickle to be unfriended.
2009年11月16日 星期一
「留守兒童」 - 20091116
中國農村與城市間的貧富差距日益擴大，人盡皆知。農村父母為多賺幾個錢，離鄉別井，出城打工，把子女留在農村老家，是為「留守兒童」。據統計，這樣的變相孤兒，全中國有5,800萬。
其實，在香港，差不多個個細路也是「留守兒童」吧。香港地，生活指數高，除非失業，否則大部分雙親都在職場廝殺。不同的是，父母下班後，香港的「留守兒童」每天也有機會見他們一面。至於日常生活，富有家庭的陀地「留守兒童」有賓賓印印泰泰照顧；捉襟見肘的可以有祖父母看管；更甚的便只好提早自立了。
還是大陸的「留守兒童」慘。基本上，一年只有春節、勞動節有機會見到爸媽；加上在「一孩政策」底下，沒有兄弟姊妹相伴。閒時，沒人管束，實現完全自由。可惜，小孩天真無邪，容易受騙，結果男盜女娼，不在話下。至於香港孤兒，慘極有譜，好動的聯郡結隊，索k嫖妓；好靜的自我封閉，電車男女。儘管活該，無傷大雅。
說也奇怪，「留守兒童」的比例是多了，可是，小朋友們的獨立程度卻吊詭地急劇下降。父母平日沒時間陪伴管教，只懂以物質彌補。此外，先天地，外傭不敢責備少主，公公婆婆只會溺愛心肝掟。久而久之，令「留守兒童」不懂是非，只管依賴了。
其實，在香港，差不多個個細路也是「留守兒童」吧。香港地，生活指數高，除非失業，否則大部分雙親都在職場廝殺。不同的是，父母下班後，香港的「留守兒童」每天也有機會見他們一面。至於日常生活，富有家庭的陀地「留守兒童」有賓賓印印泰泰照顧；捉襟見肘的可以有祖父母看管；更甚的便只好提早自立了。
還是大陸的「留守兒童」慘。基本上，一年只有春節、勞動節有機會見到爸媽；加上在「一孩政策」底下，沒有兄弟姊妹相伴。閒時，沒人管束，實現完全自由。可惜，小孩天真無邪，容易受騙，結果男盜女娼，不在話下。至於香港孤兒，慘極有譜，好動的聯郡結隊，索k嫖妓；好靜的自我封閉，電車男女。儘管活該，無傷大雅。
說也奇怪，「留守兒童」的比例是多了，可是，小朋友們的獨立程度卻吊詭地急劇下降。父母平日沒時間陪伴管教，只懂以物質彌補。此外，先天地，外傭不敢責備少主，公公婆婆只會溺愛心肝掟。久而久之，令「留守兒童」不懂是非，只管依賴了。
2009年11月14日 星期六
War Game - 20091114
A war game has been arranged to happen this morning, taken place inside a factory building in Kwun Tong.
It is a little bit unexpected that, having been quite a vogue for several years, war game has not been wiped out, and still lingers around. As we all know, all the chic stuff come and go so easily and silently in Hong Kong.
Thanks to those management courses, which promulgate the concept of team building so vigorously, the market for war game forms. Thus, in order to provide accessible venues for organizations to drop in, people smartly converted vacant factory buildings into indoor war game sites. I guess it would be very unique around the world.
Nonetheless, the effectiveness of building up team value, by participating in some war games, is always doubtful. With a mere several-minute briefing by the coach, how could anyone smart enough to grasp the game plan? So, at the end of the day, everybody would be a lone soldier on their own, shoot others aimlessly. Lucky survivors could stay on course for another 5 minutes, maybe. Generally, throughout the "war", participants could shoot some bullets, shed some sweat and pump up the adrenaline, and nothing more. Never fantasize team be built.
Anyway, in such a selfish society like Hong Kong, fighting for team value is just another Don Quixotic move, no matter by any means.
It is a little bit unexpected that, having been quite a vogue for several years, war game has not been wiped out, and still lingers around. As we all know, all the chic stuff come and go so easily and silently in Hong Kong.
Thanks to those management courses, which promulgate the concept of team building so vigorously, the market for war game forms. Thus, in order to provide accessible venues for organizations to drop in, people smartly converted vacant factory buildings into indoor war game sites. I guess it would be very unique around the world.
Nonetheless, the effectiveness of building up team value, by participating in some war games, is always doubtful. With a mere several-minute briefing by the coach, how could anyone smart enough to grasp the game plan? So, at the end of the day, everybody would be a lone soldier on their own, shoot others aimlessly. Lucky survivors could stay on course for another 5 minutes, maybe. Generally, throughout the "war", participants could shoot some bullets, shed some sweat and pump up the adrenaline, and nothing more. Never fantasize team be built.
Anyway, in such a selfish society like Hong Kong, fighting for team value is just another Don Quixotic move, no matter by any means.
2009年11月13日 星期五
中國救地球！？ - 20091113
聞說，電影《2012》有描述中國人造挪亞方舟拯救地球一幕，內地觀眾看後極度亢奮！
首先，我肯定不會看這一套戲。那些甚麼《明日之後》已經夠令人心煩了，何苦再浪費數十塊錢、160分鐘看沒有分別的東西呢？真實世界發生的災難還不夠駭人嗎？
當然，有些叻人一定會說，現在中國掘起了，金融風暴後全世界也靠中國打救。因此，荷里活反美左仔為反美而親中，合情合理。再者，憑片寄意，也是鬼佬的一貫戲法。
不過，我不能相信西人會認低威，承認被東方鼠輩打救。高加索種是最優秀的呀！所以，我以為，加插這些中國英雄的片段，只是單純的商業計算。西人準確拿捏中國人愛威風的心態，為了尋找「吐氣揚眉」的感覺，唔使一張毛主席就買到，抵到爛啦。再加之以糞青在網上推波助欄，這戲在大陸想唔收都難。鬼佬爛船仲有三斤釘。
不過，為賣片，死鬼頭妄顧前因後果卻實在抵打。為什麼會有末日呢？「世界工廠」絕對是有力出力。加上中國人從來不理環保，「各家自掃門前雪」，有垃圾廢料污染物，通通掃過隔離就算。所以，如果有末日，也多得大陸唔少。因此，真係要佢拯救，也只是「食飽飯埋單」罷了。
首先，我肯定不會看這一套戲。那些甚麼《明日之後》已經夠令人心煩了，何苦再浪費數十塊錢、160分鐘看沒有分別的東西呢？真實世界發生的災難還不夠駭人嗎？
當然，有些叻人一定會說，現在中國掘起了，金融風暴後全世界也靠中國打救。因此，荷里活反美左仔為反美而親中，合情合理。再者，憑片寄意，也是鬼佬的一貫戲法。
不過，我不能相信西人會認低威，承認被東方鼠輩打救。高加索種是最優秀的呀！所以，我以為，加插這些中國英雄的片段，只是單純的商業計算。西人準確拿捏中國人愛威風的心態，為了尋找「吐氣揚眉」的感覺，唔使一張毛主席就買到，抵到爛啦。再加之以糞青在網上推波助欄，這戲在大陸想唔收都難。鬼佬爛船仲有三斤釘。
不過，為賣片，死鬼頭妄顧前因後果卻實在抵打。為什麼會有末日呢？「世界工廠」絕對是有力出力。加上中國人從來不理環保，「各家自掃門前雪」，有垃圾廢料污染物，通通掃過隔離就算。所以，如果有末日，也多得大陸唔少。因此，真係要佢拯救，也只是「食飽飯埋單」罷了。
2009年11月12日 星期四
The Brothers Karamazov - 20091112
Just finished reading this 700+ pages novel. A truly masterpiece.
Russian writers are always of the image as scholar, Dostoyevsky is of no exception. Mustache together with thick beard on his face, he preferred writing to meaningless stuff as shaving. In Chinese value, his broad and high forehead equated wisdom. Dostoyevsky's eyes were hawk-sharp, and his puckered brow elevated his thinker's aura.
The novels of Dostoyevsky are as philosophical as his person. The Brothers Karamazov , his final book, should be the apex. With patricide as the main theme, the four brothers, representing different prototypes, clashed in order to search for the meaning of being. It is thus treated as one of the bibles of Existentialism.
So, in the end, neither the belief in God nor pure rationalism vanquished the other. It is rather intriguing, for rational readers to reflect throughout the reading. So, even the test of lawfulness is passed, like deliberate ignorance to wrongdoing, somehow the conscience would subsequently cast the punishment. To me, "the religion of love", as promulgated by Lee Tin Ming, is a very viable solution, as the rudimentary value to fill the hollowness.
Dostoyevsky understood human beings so profoundly. Through the love entanglement among the characters, grudge, jealous and patronization fulfilled their meaning in the absolute sense. The vulgarity of women was demonstrated, through the maintenance of a relationship not by love and affection, but on narcissism by capturing the moral high ground. None of the view was of cliche, not a bit.
Gripping it is, not in the advertisement-type dimension.
2009年11月11日 星期三
「正常跳層」 - 20091111
長實於將軍澳又有新樓出賣！名曰「領峰」。銷售者稱，樓層「只會」有「正常跳層」，即撇除13樓及4字尾樓層，頂樓最終會增高10層。
又耍花招混淆買家了。甚麼時候，「跳層」也有正常和不正常之分？區別由誰定？長實？換言之，長實樓「跳層」就正常，恆基就不正常？這麼說，李嘉誠是否要跟李兆基抬槓？
長實那「正常跳層」論，目的是製造五十步笑百步的效果。如13樓改稱15樓，「發水」幅度只是15%；但46樓改稱88樓，「發水」幅度便達91%！看長實多麼有良心啊！
其實，「跳層」這安排跟本就是明目張膽的誤導和作假。名稱有訛誤，錯就是錯，對就是對。在零與一之間，沒有灰色地帶。所以，凡「跳層」皆是錯，沒有錯得多、錯得少的辯論空間。
反之，如果是感觀性的東西，如氣味，沒有絕對標準，拗也是浪費時間。正如李嘉誠堅持「領都」鳥語花香，正常人說堆填區臭，口同鼻拗是也。
又耍花招混淆買家了。甚麼時候，「跳層」也有正常和不正常之分？區別由誰定？長實？換言之，長實樓「跳層」就正常，恆基就不正常？這麼說，李嘉誠是否要跟李兆基抬槓？
長實那「正常跳層」論，目的是製造五十步笑百步的效果。如13樓改稱15樓，「發水」幅度只是15%；但46樓改稱88樓，「發水」幅度便達91%！看長實多麼有良心啊！
其實，「跳層」這安排跟本就是明目張膽的誤導和作假。名稱有訛誤，錯就是錯，對就是對。在零與一之間，沒有灰色地帶。所以，凡「跳層」皆是錯，沒有錯得多、錯得少的辯論空間。
反之，如果是感觀性的東西，如氣味，沒有絕對標準，拗也是浪費時間。正如李嘉誠堅持「領都」鳥語花香，正常人說堆填區臭，口同鼻拗是也。
2009年11月10日 星期二
The Berlin Wall - 20091110
These days, the West is celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall, joyfully.
20 years ago, the iron curtain separating Germany, has been pierced down by capitalism. West eventually prevailed over the East. Gradually, those European communist states, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria . . . just to name some, relegated the big brother and embraced the Occidental value. The European Union subsequently established, and is still expanding with some exotic states lined up to be its members, most prominently Turkey.
During the celebration, some giant dominos have been overturned, to signified the collapse of communism. However, in the real world, the domino effect was not that overwhelming. Take a look at North Korea.
Similarly, 20 years ago, a country on the other side of the world had a riot, which was framed by that government as an "event". That country, used to be a member of the communism, also followed suit for the change of tide afterwards. However, the change only limited to the economy. Other important values of capitalism, like freedom, fairness, equity and so on, have yet to be realized in any sense.
Thus, no official of that country seemed to has appeared in the Berlin party. If so, it would be a prick of the rose.
20 years ago, the iron curtain separating Germany, has been pierced down by capitalism. West eventually prevailed over the East. Gradually, those European communist states, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria . . . just to name some, relegated the big brother and embraced the Occidental value. The European Union subsequently established, and is still expanding with some exotic states lined up to be its members, most prominently Turkey.
During the celebration, some giant dominos have been overturned, to signified the collapse of communism. However, in the real world, the domino effect was not that overwhelming. Take a look at North Korea.
Similarly, 20 years ago, a country on the other side of the world had a riot, which was framed by that government as an "event". That country, used to be a member of the communism, also followed suit for the change of tide afterwards. However, the change only limited to the economy. Other important values of capitalism, like freedom, fairness, equity and so on, have yet to be realized in any sense.
Thus, no official of that country seemed to has appeared in the Berlin party. If so, it would be a prick of the rose.
2009年11月9日 星期一
懶皮 - 20091109
曼聯近日敗仗連連，領隊費格遜不斷指罵球證不是。
舉昨晚敗於車路士手下為例。費格遜指費查沒有犯規，那錯判的罰球導致後來泰利的入球實屬不公。其實，誤判絕對是足球比賽的一部分，費蛇久歷沙場，豈有不知之理。你何時見到費蛇承認球證對曼聯有利的誤判？像昨夜伊雲斯於禁區內蓄意向杜奧巴施以穿心腿卻未判罰十二碼，他老人家有說漏咀嗎？
話到底，費蛇出口術，還是「展望將來」，希望球證以為欠了曼聯，日後有所回報。可惜，費蛇應該不知道，打從上次他批評球證體能不合格後，紅魔已經成為球證的眼中釘。我想他們還有排受。
也只怪費蛇愛隊情切。季初放走C朗賺八千萬磅，可惜球隊竟然沒有買人填補，馬死落地行，惟有轉型。如能以貝碧托夫為進攻重心，輔之以一批工兵型球員，紅魔本還有力一爭。只可惜，費蛇老眼昏花，錯以朗尼為軸。朗尼無疑勤力，奈何技術、視野未達頂級，誤傳頻頻。昨夜敗陣，貝碧托夫倦勤，看看紅魔陣容：卡域克、費查、華倫西亞、布朗、奧沙 . . . 還以為是史篤城。表演平庸，落敗誠合理，責難球證實掩耳盜鈴，懶皮矣。
看來，今屆英超只屬車路士、阿仙奴之爭。正常球迷當希望悅目的兵工廠奪標，但理智地看，藍戰士們的老練實不能小覬。
舉昨晚敗於車路士手下為例。費格遜指費查沒有犯規，那錯判的罰球導致後來泰利的入球實屬不公。其實，誤判絕對是足球比賽的一部分，費蛇久歷沙場，豈有不知之理。你何時見到費蛇承認球證對曼聯有利的誤判？像昨夜伊雲斯於禁區內蓄意向杜奧巴施以穿心腿卻未判罰十二碼，他老人家有說漏咀嗎？
話到底，費蛇出口術，還是「展望將來」，希望球證以為欠了曼聯，日後有所回報。可惜，費蛇應該不知道，打從上次他批評球證體能不合格後，紅魔已經成為球證的眼中釘。我想他們還有排受。
也只怪費蛇愛隊情切。季初放走C朗賺八千萬磅，可惜球隊竟然沒有買人填補，馬死落地行，惟有轉型。如能以貝碧托夫為進攻重心，輔之以一批工兵型球員，紅魔本還有力一爭。只可惜，費蛇老眼昏花，錯以朗尼為軸。朗尼無疑勤力，奈何技術、視野未達頂級，誤傳頻頻。昨夜敗陣，貝碧托夫倦勤，看看紅魔陣容：卡域克、費查、華倫西亞、布朗、奧沙 . . . 還以為是史篤城。表演平庸，落敗誠合理，責難球證實掩耳盜鈴，懶皮矣。
看來，今屆英超只屬車路士、阿仙奴之爭。正常球迷當希望悅目的兵工廠奪標，但理智地看，藍戰士們的老練實不能小覬。
2009年11月7日 星期六
Massage - 20091107
We Hong Kongers are addicted to massage. No matter how Hong Kong dollars depreciate vis a vis Renminbi, flock of zombies rush to the massage parlours round-the-clock in Shenzhen, healthy or filthy ones.
There are way too many stuff for us to handle in our everyday life. Gossiping, clamoring, surfing etc., the pressure exerting on our frail bodies, from foreheads and shoulders to thighs and feet, are somehow too much. Our stiffen bodies, together with the numb mind, are finding way out. Unfortunately, most of us are short of motivation to relief through exercise and thus, massage is so vital.
We are too familiar with different types of massage. Foot reflexology is the basic therapy for our feet after any winding shopping. Subject to the intensity of boss's illogical requests, in the weekend, we go for massage from head and shoulder, to the whole body in Shenzhen. When double pay is finally on hand, the annual extravagant indulgence spa in Thailand could not be waited for another extra second. And for the massage created most GDP is, of course, the phallus massage.
Paradoxically, as a habitual runner, I do not have great desire on massage. From gut feeling, people would think that sport lovers would have stiffer muscle. However, with proper stretch and relax through exercise, the body is relieved unconsciously. Though the need is not great, I would enjoy those rare occassions of massage, if come.
There are way too many stuff for us to handle in our everyday life. Gossiping, clamoring, surfing etc., the pressure exerting on our frail bodies, from foreheads and shoulders to thighs and feet, are somehow too much. Our stiffen bodies, together with the numb mind, are finding way out. Unfortunately, most of us are short of motivation to relief through exercise and thus, massage is so vital.
We are too familiar with different types of massage. Foot reflexology is the basic therapy for our feet after any winding shopping. Subject to the intensity of boss's illogical requests, in the weekend, we go for massage from head and shoulder, to the whole body in Shenzhen. When double pay is finally on hand, the annual extravagant indulgence spa in Thailand could not be waited for another extra second. And for the massage created most GDP is, of course, the phallus massage.
Paradoxically, as a habitual runner, I do not have great desire on massage. From gut feeling, people would think that sport lovers would have stiffer muscle. However, with proper stretch and relax through exercise, the body is relieved unconsciously. Though the need is not great, I would enjoy those rare occassions of massage, if come.
2009年11月6日 星期五
「網遊症 」- 20091106
據說現在辦公室流行「網遊症」。患者不自覺於上班時間逛閒網，如鹹網。論者指「網遊症」影響上班族工作效率，連累老板蝕本。
本末倒置。正常打工仔，撇開「投入感」那些虛無縹緲的形容詞不說，有工作便做吧，正所謂「受人錢財，替人消災」。如果有工作不做，閒著上網，老細逼迫你而又嘔不出功課時，不是會被抄魷嗎？尤其是現在經濟差，市場風聲鶴唳，普通人會當清兵嗎？所以，正常人也至少會在沒事幹，或沒有急差辦時才做私事，如網遊。
或許，經濟真的很差，以致公司真的沒生意幹了；另一方面，同事害怕被點相，不敢早走，因此，逗留在公司的時間超長。為免蝕突，唯有把工餘才做的，靈活地搬過去公司完成。找卡數、徵友、打麻雀 . . . 各式其適。其實，只要是一間正常運作的公司，人手沒有過盛，根本不可能有網遊症出現。
再者，香港的辦公室，密度應該都是全球之冠了。要有網遊症，也要避過鄰座同事的小報告吧。三尺距離，沒有圍板，人能有私隱嗎？所以，「網遊症」影響工作效率，笑話一則罷了。
本末倒置。正常打工仔，撇開「投入感」那些虛無縹緲的形容詞不說，有工作便做吧，正所謂「受人錢財，替人消災」。如果有工作不做，閒著上網，老細逼迫你而又嘔不出功課時，不是會被抄魷嗎？尤其是現在經濟差，市場風聲鶴唳，普通人會當清兵嗎？所以，正常人也至少會在沒事幹，或沒有急差辦時才做私事，如網遊。
或許，經濟真的很差，以致公司真的沒生意幹了；另一方面，同事害怕被點相，不敢早走，因此，逗留在公司的時間超長。為免蝕突，唯有把工餘才做的，靈活地搬過去公司完成。找卡數、徵友、打麻雀 . . . 各式其適。其實，只要是一間正常運作的公司，人手沒有過盛，根本不可能有網遊症出現。
再者，香港的辦公室，密度應該都是全球之冠了。要有網遊症，也要避過鄰座同事的小報告吧。三尺距離，沒有圍板，人能有私隱嗎？所以，「網遊症」影響工作效率，笑話一則罷了。
2009年11月5日 星期四
Disneyland - 20091105
Shanghai, as long expected, announced the plan of building a new Disneyland. Its size will be more than double of ours.
As usual, in the media, different pundits congested into every corner to cry wolf. Professors from Social Science, Tourism, Finance etc. dressed up and expressed their "mother-is-woman-type" comment. It seems that, if Hong Kong do not craft other new site spots, our tourism will go bust, sheerly because of the new Shanghai Disneyland.
Let common sense prevail, please. As a tourist, would you choose a holiday venue, with the size of Disneyland as your main concern? Unless you are a big fan of Disneyland, say, one of my colleagues said she would go to Orlando for a whole week to immerse in it. Otherwise, normal people would not avoid Hong Kong, just out of the fact that we own the tiniest Disneyland. What is the selling point of Hong Kong? The shopping paradise one, by stereotype. Thus, theme park like Disneyland is always an appendix to the main course.
One more thing, the number of visitors to Disneyland is never equivalent to those to Hong Kong. As such, it is nothing but illogical to shiver owing to that new park in Shanghai.
As usual, in the media, different pundits congested into every corner to cry wolf. Professors from Social Science, Tourism, Finance etc. dressed up and expressed their "mother-is-woman-type" comment. It seems that, if Hong Kong do not craft other new site spots, our tourism will go bust, sheerly because of the new Shanghai Disneyland.
Let common sense prevail, please. As a tourist, would you choose a holiday venue, with the size of Disneyland as your main concern? Unless you are a big fan of Disneyland, say, one of my colleagues said she would go to Orlando for a whole week to immerse in it. Otherwise, normal people would not avoid Hong Kong, just out of the fact that we own the tiniest Disneyland. What is the selling point of Hong Kong? The shopping paradise one, by stereotype. Thus, theme park like Disneyland is always an appendix to the main course.
One more thing, the number of visitors to Disneyland is never equivalent to those to Hong Kong. As such, it is nothing but illogical to shiver owing to that new park in Shanghai.
2009年11月4日 星期三
必玩之地 - 20091104
《Lonely Planet》剛出版《Best In Travel 2010》，推薦明年旅遊地方。包括蘇里南、厄瓜多爾 . . . 令人神往。
沒有香港人不把旅遊列作自己的興趣吧。可是，大家有否想過，熱愛旅遊這興趣是被迫出來的？
在辦公室，每年大家都要清大假，短則法例規定的7天，長則如公務員有39天。因此，為了「用」這些大假，絕大多數的人都會去旅行。所以，先天條件上，旅行是清假的手段，沒有甚麼目的可言。因此，懶惰、愛跟風的我們旅行目的地大都千篇一律，三甲順序是日本、台灣及泰國。
當然，三個都地方都很好。只是，那種「因循」有時叫人有點無耐。更甚的是，很多同事都會買手信。坦白說，香港還有甚麼買不到？如果要探討買手信的心態更是可怕。同事們相親相愛？機會渺茫。怕沒手信被人指指點點？沒有個性。公佈天下自己去了那裡到此一遊？低俗無知。所以，我不買手信回公司。
如要遠遊，例如歐美，淨機程來回也要兩、三天。對上班族來說，直是浪費；還要困在狹小經濟客位，根本折磨。所以，蘇里南、厄瓜多爾 . . . 看「Globe Trekker」算罷。
沒有香港人不把旅遊列作自己的興趣吧。可是，大家有否想過，熱愛旅遊這興趣是被迫出來的？
在辦公室，每年大家都要清大假，短則法例規定的7天，長則如公務員有39天。因此，為了「用」這些大假，絕大多數的人都會去旅行。所以，先天條件上，旅行是清假的手段，沒有甚麼目的可言。因此，懶惰、愛跟風的我們旅行目的地大都千篇一律，三甲順序是日本、台灣及泰國。
當然，三個都地方都很好。只是，那種「因循」有時叫人有點無耐。更甚的是，很多同事都會買手信。坦白說，香港還有甚麼買不到？如果要探討買手信的心態更是可怕。同事們相親相愛？機會渺茫。怕沒手信被人指指點點？沒有個性。公佈天下自己去了那裡到此一遊？低俗無知。所以，我不買手信回公司。
如要遠遊，例如歐美，淨機程來回也要兩、三天。對上班族來說，直是浪費；還要困在狹小經濟客位，根本折磨。所以，蘇里南、厄瓜多爾 . . . 看「Globe Trekker」算罷。
2009年11月3日 星期二
Nose Allergy - 20091103
Being a sufferer of nose allergy, autumn brings me the feeling of ambivalence. The sunny sky and cool air undoubtedly comfort everybody, nevertheless, the sudden change of temperature is always a mission impossible for me to cope with. Monsoons, creating a greater swirl of air, make the situation worse. My runny nose is running at the moment.
With the influx of cool air invading, my nose is too frail to withstand it. Itchy, the nose could not help sneezing and the water tape inside could never be tightened. Pieces of tissue come and go, out of control. Used one could be dumped so swiftly, when the call of nature is on, and environmental friendly becomes a non-issue. Half day gone, and the bin was half filled, still, the second half day is inevitable.
The dry air steals all the moist from your skin. Every brush of the tissue to your nose is a torment. The cumulative friction results in a red and oversize nose, and somehow, few people would be mistaken as drunkards. Vaseline and cream could be of temporary soothe. However, when the other wipe is needed, the consoling effect gone. When so much of water has been lost, dizziness comes and not much could be done, except rest.
Anyway, I will try my private way to cure the allergic nose, that is - - - run. It seems that water lost through the skin pores could dry up the nose.
2009年11月2日 星期一
十月屠殺 - 20091102
日前林村有共一十一條狗被集體毒殺。照片所見，狗屍口吐白沬，部分死前失禁，便溺處處，狀甚恐怖。
香港愛狗人士極多，尤其是年輕人，但是，原因基本不明。據經驗，他們的「愛」多是直覺，九成只有三分鐘熱度。例如，昨天看了「導盲犬小Q」，金毛尋回的銷路當會節節上升；今天在「娛樂熱點」見到鄺美人帶Cash去祈福，比熊又被人爭先恐後的帶回家。但是，當中不少的狗，最後目的地是愛護動物協會，吃過最後晚餐，接受人道毀滅。
問題：究竟是一十一條「烈狗」慘，還是被人遺棄的「三分鐘熱狗」慘？
舉一個實例。前陣子住我公屋家對面的男子和一女子相好，女子帶曲架同遷入。初時，也見他倆在深夜溜狗，一次起兩次止。但是，狗男女要工作，大部分時間不在家，因此，曲架也只好呆在家，留給一個八十歲開外的婆婆「照顧」。阿婆有自己生活，會下街「油糊」，更有不少時間回大陸住。因此，我疑心那條曲架是獨居的。初獨守空房，狗兒也會吠及亂跑；及後習慣了，曲架悶聲不哼，不過卻傳出陣陣惡臭 . . . 近日，狗女和曲架都不見影踪了。
我認為，還是「三分鐘熱狗」慘。第一，「烈狗」生前應被真愛犬人士照料，生活一向愉快；第二，如要淪為「三分鐘熱狗」，最後目的地是愛護動物協會。在這個會，人人道貌岸然，如那傳訊經理。見到他們的咀面，直是生不如死。
香港愛狗人士極多，尤其是年輕人，但是，原因基本不明。據經驗，他們的「愛」多是直覺，九成只有三分鐘熱度。例如，昨天看了「導盲犬小Q」，金毛尋回的銷路當會節節上升；今天在「娛樂熱點」見到鄺美人帶Cash去祈福，比熊又被人爭先恐後的帶回家。但是，當中不少的狗，最後目的地是愛護動物協會，吃過最後晚餐，接受人道毀滅。
問題：究竟是一十一條「烈狗」慘，還是被人遺棄的「三分鐘熱狗」慘？
舉一個實例。前陣子住我公屋家對面的男子和一女子相好，女子帶曲架同遷入。初時，也見他倆在深夜溜狗，一次起兩次止。但是，狗男女要工作，大部分時間不在家，因此，曲架也只好呆在家，留給一個八十歲開外的婆婆「照顧」。阿婆有自己生活，會下街「油糊」，更有不少時間回大陸住。因此，我疑心那條曲架是獨居的。初獨守空房，狗兒也會吠及亂跑；及後習慣了，曲架悶聲不哼，不過卻傳出陣陣惡臭 . . . 近日，狗女和曲架都不見影踪了。
我認為，還是「三分鐘熱狗」慘。第一，「烈狗」生前應被真愛犬人士照料，生活一向愉快；第二，如要淪為「三分鐘熱狗」，最後目的地是愛護動物協會。在這個會，人人道貌岸然，如那傳訊經理。見到他們的咀面，直是生不如死。
2009年11月1日 星期日
BBQ - 20091101
By "improvisation", somehow, I went to BBQ today.
BBQ is such a "Hong Kong style" term. I have no idea whether foreigners would call barbecue so. BBQ has left me long. From my very vague memory, the last occasion that I had a touch on BBQ should be several years ago, with my mum and uncle etc, in 流水嚮.
From BBQ, we could see how agile Hong Kongers could be. According to my limited understanding, the choice of food for westerners' barbecue is very limited. The main course should be meats, together with some vegetables to accomplish the dish, and that's it. However, to we Hong Kongers, anything you could imagine, it could be BBQed. The classic one should be 棉花糖. Now, people are so sophisticated that they would prepare all sorts of yummy for BBQ. Prawns, scallops, sweet potatoes . . . and sweet soup as a final note to finish the BBQ. It's simply buffet.
Though to ordinary lazy Hong Kongers, for the sake of convenience, many of them would simply buy those pickled assorted meats, which are with ambiguous colours. These meats could never be described as fresh and delicious, normally speaking. However, the flavour of it is so "old time", which the taste of nostalgia emerges, and I had a mouth of it today.
In autumn time, with such a wonderful atmosphere, BBQ is especially welcome.
BBQ is such a "Hong Kong style" term. I have no idea whether foreigners would call barbecue so. BBQ has left me long. From my very vague memory, the last occasion that I had a touch on BBQ should be several years ago, with my mum and uncle etc, in 流水嚮.
From BBQ, we could see how agile Hong Kongers could be. According to my limited understanding, the choice of food for westerners' barbecue is very limited. The main course should be meats, together with some vegetables to accomplish the dish, and that's it. However, to we Hong Kongers, anything you could imagine, it could be BBQed. The classic one should be 棉花糖. Now, people are so sophisticated that they would prepare all sorts of yummy for BBQ. Prawns, scallops, sweet potatoes . . . and sweet soup as a final note to finish the BBQ. It's simply buffet.
Though to ordinary lazy Hong Kongers, for the sake of convenience, many of them would simply buy those pickled assorted meats, which are with ambiguous colours. These meats could never be described as fresh and delicious, normally speaking. However, the flavour of it is so "old time", which the taste of nostalgia emerges, and I had a mouth of it today.
In autumn time, with such a wonderful atmosphere, BBQ is especially welcome.
2009年10月31日 星期六
唔通叫我做甘草？ - 20091031
鍾楚紅出席美容活動，說無意復出拍劇，笑道她不想做甘草。 我想，紅姑真是與時代脫節了。
首先，紅姑的潛台詞是凡演主角都是年輕的。但是，只要稍有常識，也知道老演員可當主角。西方例子不消說；就是南韓，看看爛鬼亞視現正播映的「好老婆大聯盟」，女主角福秀就師奶過師奶。在「好」劇中，年輕貌美的如璇熙，只是配角。就算思想最落後的香港，看看「富貴門」，呂良偉戚美珍通通不是後生演員，但都是主角。
還有，甘草也不是易當的。演甘草，不靠國色天香，靠角色揣摸。好的甘草，例如鮑姐，影后手到拿來；再有祥仔，巾幗梟雄，甘草成主角。所以，紅姑想演甘草，也未必是一條好甘草。你能想到紅姑以往的代表作嗎？甚麼「縱橫四海」，她也只是一個挑釁的花瓶矣。談演技，除非這十多廿年她當少奶奶時有所領悟；否則，不要盼望。
說到底，戲子便是戲子，難道你當她是知識分子？
首先，紅姑的潛台詞是凡演主角都是年輕的。但是，只要稍有常識，也知道老演員可當主角。西方例子不消說；就是南韓，看看爛鬼亞視現正播映的「好老婆大聯盟」，女主角福秀就師奶過師奶。在「好」劇中，年輕貌美的如璇熙，只是配角。就算思想最落後的香港，看看「富貴門」，呂良偉戚美珍通通不是後生演員，但都是主角。
還有，甘草也不是易當的。演甘草，不靠國色天香，靠角色揣摸。好的甘草，例如鮑姐，影后手到拿來；再有祥仔，巾幗梟雄，甘草成主角。所以，紅姑想演甘草，也未必是一條好甘草。你能想到紅姑以往的代表作嗎？甚麼「縱橫四海」，她也只是一個挑釁的花瓶矣。談演技，除非這十多廿年她當少奶奶時有所領悟；否則，不要盼望。
說到底，戲子便是戲子，難道你當她是知識分子？
2009年10月30日 星期五
Exorcists - 20091030
Two young ladies, one of them a 22-year-old student, and the other one an ex-model, 21 years of age, were entangled in suspected rape cases respectively. Both of them misconceived that sexual intercourse with "exorcists" could change their luck.
Even we are living in a modern city as Hong Kong, no matter nine years free education have been provided to us, still, stupidity is something could not be eradicated. Unlike most of the rape victims, the aforesaid two ladies would be compassionated by nobody.
Considered the student first. She could be convinced by a middle age lady, who was the girlfriend of the "exorcist", that she was hooked by some spirits. Naively, the victim believed that her guest could be "fucked off" by a 60-year-old uncle. A typical timid clueless chick.
The ex-model is worse, in the sense of motive and silliness. Being a young model at 19 then, she was crazy to be famous. By accepting the advice of her manager, the girl provided blow job and intercourse to the "exorcist", in the multiple of 9, for the sake of auspice. And the most weird thing was, the girl trusted the exorcist's claim that no contraceptive measure was needed, as the exorcist could "sterilize" himself by his own "spell". Naturally and scientifically, the ex-model got pregnant, after 9 trials.
Crazy. And that's why the "Police Magazine" is that everlasting. So again, life is always more unexpectable than movies.
2009年10月29日 星期四
阿加斯 - 20091029
阿加斯將出自傳，名曰 "Open"。他承認曾吸食冰毒，更向網球員協會訛稱這是意外。
其實，阿加斯不嬲唔係乖乖仔啦。有頭髮時就一頭野獸長髮；甩頭髮時就剷光頭；年輕時打溫布頓又唔著白衫 . . . 阿加斯一向是反叛者。只是，人是善忘的。阿加斯傷癒復出世界排名由三位數升回第一，和嘉芙結婚後收心養性，變成球員典範，形象開始優雅起來。
「攻心計」的香港人定必認為，阿加斯現在「放料」，想當然是希望自傳賣紙。且慢，阿加斯好像是超有錢的，他在拉斯維加斯有很多地產項目，自傳賺的錢於他好比九牛一毛。而且，阿加斯不「自爆」，也不見得有其他人會爆佢大鑊。所以，呢次真係丈八金剛，十萬個為甚麼。
其一可能是 repentance。阿加斯是教徒，教徒會告解。對非教徒而言，告解是一件怪事。先自行判斷犯了罪(是sin不是crime)，再向某人告白，然後如釋重負，重獲新生。攻利人問，告解有卵用乎？但是，鬼佬重視平等。如果自覺做了虧心事，又保守秘密，便會低人一等。
Be a man，講左出黎舒服好多 . . .
其實，阿加斯不嬲唔係乖乖仔啦。有頭髮時就一頭野獸長髮；甩頭髮時就剷光頭；年輕時打溫布頓又唔著白衫 . . . 阿加斯一向是反叛者。只是，人是善忘的。阿加斯傷癒復出世界排名由三位數升回第一，和嘉芙結婚後收心養性，變成球員典範，形象開始優雅起來。
「攻心計」的香港人定必認為，阿加斯現在「放料」，想當然是希望自傳賣紙。且慢，阿加斯好像是超有錢的，他在拉斯維加斯有很多地產項目，自傳賺的錢於他好比九牛一毛。而且，阿加斯不「自爆」，也不見得有其他人會爆佢大鑊。所以，呢次真係丈八金剛，十萬個為甚麼。
其一可能是 repentance。阿加斯是教徒，教徒會告解。對非教徒而言，告解是一件怪事。先自行判斷犯了罪(是sin不是crime)，再向某人告白，然後如釋重負，重獲新生。攻利人問，告解有卵用乎？但是，鬼佬重視平等。如果自覺做了虧心事，又保守秘密，便會低人一等。
Be a man，講左出黎舒服好多 . . .
2009年10月28日 星期三
NBA - 20091028
The new NBA season begins today.
Most boys love to play basketball, and being hooked to NBA. I was of no exception during my time in the secondary school. However, when I went to university, and being a business student then, most of my classmates were ladies with no interest in sports. Thus, my fervency to basketball, as well as NBA, faded out.
To me, the nowadays NBA could never be as wonderful as in the 1990's. We were lucky to witness how Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their 6 NBA titles. Jordan, the god of basketball, could always conjure up the clutch shots when needed. The classic one should be the winning jumper against Bryon Russell and the Utah Jazz. That magic shot, as the demarcation between heaven and hell, could still be visualized in my mind easily. By reaching the paramount of basketball, and sadly, on the other hand, Michael Jordan & Co. have been the nemesis of many outstanding players. Charles Barkley, Gary Payton and "Stockton to Marlone", are some of the prominent ones to name.
We Chinese said "五嶽歸來不看山, 黃山歸來不看嶽", after Jordan retired, NBA could never be that fabulous in the same sense. San Antonio Spurs, bear the synonym of boring, got 3 NBA titles in 2000's. Kobe Bryant, the copycat of Jordan, got 4 NBA championships in the post-Jordan era.
Having said that, NBA could still manufacture some eyes candies. During playoff, the final 2 minutes in the fourth quarter could still thicken your blood. Also, those acrobatic slam dunks could still make your jaws drop. However, highlight is enough.
Most boys love to play basketball, and being hooked to NBA. I was of no exception during my time in the secondary school. However, when I went to university, and being a business student then, most of my classmates were ladies with no interest in sports. Thus, my fervency to basketball, as well as NBA, faded out.
To me, the nowadays NBA could never be as wonderful as in the 1990's. We were lucky to witness how Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their 6 NBA titles. Jordan, the god of basketball, could always conjure up the clutch shots when needed. The classic one should be the winning jumper against Bryon Russell and the Utah Jazz. That magic shot, as the demarcation between heaven and hell, could still be visualized in my mind easily. By reaching the paramount of basketball, and sadly, on the other hand, Michael Jordan & Co. have been the nemesis of many outstanding players. Charles Barkley, Gary Payton and "Stockton to Marlone", are some of the prominent ones to name.
We Chinese said "五嶽歸來不看山, 黃山歸來不看嶽", after Jordan retired, NBA could never be that fabulous in the same sense. San Antonio Spurs, bear the synonym of boring, got 3 NBA titles in 2000's. Kobe Bryant, the copycat of Jordan, got 4 NBA championships in the post-Jordan era.
Having said that, NBA could still manufacture some eyes candies. During playoff, the final 2 minutes in the fourth quarter could still thicken your blood. Also, those acrobatic slam dunks could still make your jaws drop. However, highlight is enough.
2009年10月27日 星期二
阿寶 - 20091027
黃金寶以三十六歲高齡於全運會奪得公路賽單車金牌，犀飛利！瀝源邨真是地靈人傑。
阿寶當然是香港人的驕傲，母庸致疑。雖則沒有參與環法賽等職業賽；即使在亞洲，也未必勝得過哈薩克車手。但是，在2007年贏得世界場地錦標賽，阿寶是貨真價實的陀地「世界級」，絕對堅過那些甚麼鬼勞什子「紐倫港」。
那個鬼政府，除了懂得胡搞「慳電膽」外，還懂做甚麼？像阿寶攞牌，就只會公式的派那鼠相兔崽子局長祝賀，及發些獎金，聊表心意。難得香港有一個如斯正氣土炮男，形象那麼好，成就那麼高，政府就是不懂利用。至少，也可以發行「黃金寶紀念郵票」吧？另外，現在甚麼校園毒禍鬧得熱烘烘，還不打鐵趁熱，找阿寶作禁毒大使，順勢鼓勵全民踩單車，日日運動身體好？
可惜，當你看到現在極流行的摺單車在公共交通工具上受盡白眼，以及那條不知何年何月才會興建的環新界單車徑，便知道這個政府，只有魏晉南北朝之風，崇尚空談，鳩嗡多過食飯。
阿寶當然是香港人的驕傲，母庸致疑。雖則沒有參與環法賽等職業賽；即使在亞洲，也未必勝得過哈薩克車手。但是，在2007年贏得世界場地錦標賽，阿寶是貨真價實的陀地「世界級」，絕對堅過那些甚麼鬼勞什子「紐倫港」。
那個鬼政府，除了懂得胡搞「慳電膽」外，還懂做甚麼？像阿寶攞牌，就只會公式的派那鼠相兔崽子局長祝賀，及發些獎金，聊表心意。難得香港有一個如斯正氣土炮男，形象那麼好，成就那麼高，政府就是不懂利用。至少，也可以發行「黃金寶紀念郵票」吧？另外，現在甚麼校園毒禍鬧得熱烘烘，還不打鐵趁熱，找阿寶作禁毒大使，順勢鼓勵全民踩單車，日日運動身體好？
可惜，當你看到現在極流行的摺單車在公共交通工具上受盡白眼，以及那條不知何年何月才會興建的環新界單車徑，便知道這個政府，只有魏晉南北朝之風，崇尚空談，鳩嗡多過食飯。
2009年10月26日 星期一
The Ugly Truth - 20091026
The film, though a usual love comedy, with a little twist of the prevailing value, even not starred with the A-listers, could be a big hit. With a production budget of $38M, the worldwide box office hits $180M.
Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl could not be said as the top cream. Gerard Butler, with the bear-like body shape, could at most be a handsome version Russell Crowe. Katherine Heigl, with the reminiscence of Britney Spears, is more like an X-rate star to me. Anyway, neither Billy Crystal nor Sandra Bullock is good looking, and they could be aces for comedy.
Actually, the story is just telling some common senses. No matter how the world changes or evolves, some of the characteristics of men and women are eternal constant. However, in the time of hypocrisy, people just incline to sweep the truth under the carpet. Thus, women naively believe, mistakenly, that perfect man fulfilling their "checklist" could exist. So, Gerard Butler pricked the pretence, by saying that here is America . . . or else you are a lesbian.
With a little courage to speak the truth, return to the stereotype, plus some tricks to make people laugh, we are satisfied. The standard is not that high now.
Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl could not be said as the top cream. Gerard Butler, with the bear-like body shape, could at most be a handsome version Russell Crowe. Katherine Heigl, with the reminiscence of Britney Spears, is more like an X-rate star to me. Anyway, neither Billy Crystal nor Sandra Bullock is good looking, and they could be aces for comedy.
Actually, the story is just telling some common senses. No matter how the world changes or evolves, some of the characteristics of men and women are eternal constant. However, in the time of hypocrisy, people just incline to sweep the truth under the carpet. Thus, women naively believe, mistakenly, that perfect man fulfilling their "checklist" could exist. So, Gerard Butler pricked the pretence, by saying that here is America . . . or else you are a lesbian.
With a little courage to speak the truth, return to the stereotype, plus some tricks to make people laugh, we are satisfied. The standard is not that high now.
2009年10月24日 星期六
Megabox - 20091024
昨夜到 Megabox 看 The Ugly Truth。戲幾好笑，場有點怪。
Megabox 落成至今，只到過兩次，位置吊腳作怪。是夜放工，先由牛頭角乘地鐵到九龍灣，再在德福轉搭免費接駁巴士到商場，少說用了半小時。星期五晚，人流卻稀疏；食店最多，商店冷冷清清。
商場定位奇怪，店舖都是大大間的 mega stores。概念可能是效法外國 shopping mall 的運作模式，商品都如批發品，捆綁成三五件一起銷售，薄利多銷。對於鬼佬，做法可行，因他們住得遠住得獨立，一個月一次揸住架 SUV 買齊下個月糧草。所以，一次過買多些慳多些油錢。
只是，香港地小人多，商場遍地，買任何東西皆易過借火。此外，居所寸金尺土，我們不會買多餘的東西呆在家裡。更甚是，香港地有車人士皆有錢之輩，根本不須要靠批發價省錢。所以， Megabox 的概念和我們格格不入。因此，商場好像是轉形成美食廣場，至少閒日有工廠工友幫襯。
另外，Megabox 的 UA，爛的情況和元朗百老匯也不惶多讓。所以，盡可能不再去了。
Megabox 落成至今，只到過兩次，位置吊腳作怪。是夜放工，先由牛頭角乘地鐵到九龍灣，再在德福轉搭免費接駁巴士到商場，少說用了半小時。星期五晚，人流卻稀疏；食店最多，商店冷冷清清。
商場定位奇怪，店舖都是大大間的 mega stores。概念可能是效法外國 shopping mall 的運作模式，商品都如批發品，捆綁成三五件一起銷售，薄利多銷。對於鬼佬，做法可行，因他們住得遠住得獨立，一個月一次揸住架 SUV 買齊下個月糧草。所以，一次過買多些慳多些油錢。
只是，香港地小人多，商場遍地，買任何東西皆易過借火。此外，居所寸金尺土，我們不會買多餘的東西呆在家裡。更甚是，香港地有車人士皆有錢之輩，根本不須要靠批發價省錢。所以， Megabox 的概念和我們格格不入。因此，商場好像是轉形成美食廣場，至少閒日有工廠工友幫襯。
另外，Megabox 的 UA，爛的情況和元朗百老匯也不惶多讓。所以，盡可能不再去了。
2009年10月23日 星期五
Under Secretaries - 20091023
Yesterday CE appointed 2 under secretaries, both of them were civil servant. Lam Sui Lung said it was appropriate to appoint civil servant for the posts as the related jobs were complex.
Non sense! Eggheads inside the government could handle "complex" jobs? What a tiny dick head Mr Lam always has.
After so many low points, say, the stillborn of universal suffrage, the filibustering of cultural development of West Kowloon and more recently, the CFLs saga, the appointment was really an audacious move. With the support plunging to the trough, CE wanted to taste the guillotine by such a meaningless deployment. Maybe his legs are too painful, like his predecessor, and affects his brain's normal functioning.
Accountability was the selling point of the appointment of under secretaries and political assistants. However, the kind of "Hong Kong-style" accountability just limited to sorry bidding. As we can see, even though the political reform of Hong Kong is stagnant, Lam Sui Lung's seat is rock solid as ever.
CE said by establishing these openings, political exposure and training would be rendered to the talents. Non sense again! Donald's tenure would only be up to 2012, if he could keep his office. Who the hell could be rested assured a place under the new CE? One of the appointees, Lai Tung Kwok, was touted to be the successor of Ambrose Lee as Secretary for Security. However, if the next CE likes nobody in the existing government and replaces all of them, what could we say? Remember, the appointment of CE is only to be decided by 800 chops.
Ridiculous thought to be backed up by tax loss.
Non sense! Eggheads inside the government could handle "complex" jobs? What a tiny dick head Mr Lam always has.
After so many low points, say, the stillborn of universal suffrage, the filibustering of cultural development of West Kowloon and more recently, the CFLs saga, the appointment was really an audacious move. With the support plunging to the trough, CE wanted to taste the guillotine by such a meaningless deployment. Maybe his legs are too painful, like his predecessor, and affects his brain's normal functioning.
Accountability was the selling point of the appointment of under secretaries and political assistants. However, the kind of "Hong Kong-style" accountability just limited to sorry bidding. As we can see, even though the political reform of Hong Kong is stagnant, Lam Sui Lung's seat is rock solid as ever.
CE said by establishing these openings, political exposure and training would be rendered to the talents. Non sense again! Donald's tenure would only be up to 2012, if he could keep his office. Who the hell could be rested assured a place under the new CE? One of the appointees, Lai Tung Kwok, was touted to be the successor of Ambrose Lee as Secretary for Security. However, if the next CE likes nobody in the existing government and replaces all of them, what could we say? Remember, the appointment of CE is only to be decided by 800 chops.
Ridiculous thought to be backed up by tax loss.
2009年10月22日 星期四
大球場 - 20091022
昨晚大球場上演亞協盃四強次回合賽事，南華輸零比一，兩回合總比數一比三負科威特競技。是夜紅旗高懸，近四萬球迷迫爆大球場支持南華，有如海市蜃樓。賽後南華班主羅傑承感動落淚，更好比鐵樹開花。
小時候，經常和老父到改建前的大球場睇波。九十年代的香港足球還堪一看。那時候東方是擂台躉 - - - 有當打的譚兆偉校炮，快翼和仔落底，加上鬼頭歷臣、譚拔士等在前線數糊，所向披靡。除了東方，南華、愉園、星島等實力亦相當不俗。因此，當年競爭異常激烈，球賽自然刺激精彩。可是，近年缺人「掟水」，沒錢羅致好外緩，球隊往往拉雜成軍，球賽變得乏味。球市門堪羅雀，入場人數屢創新低，小貓數十觀眾不是等閒事，經營慘淡不在話下。所以，對球迷而言，往後有新球場也無啥用。
改建後的大球場，我只到過一、兩次，對上一次也只是友人公司有免費波飛才勉力入場。新大球場雖則宏偉乾淨，不過無啖好食 - - - 除了「家香雞」，便是「勿當奴」。回想舊大球場，總浮現起鹵水雞脾的色香味。舊大球場氣氛熱鬧，上萬人看足球是平常事；新大球場氣氛也可以一樣熱鬧，看的卻變作欖球，而且「鬼」多過人。
因此，今趟南華創造奇蹟，「掙爆」大球場，令沙塵班主落淚，也是一個小「亮點」！只是，看到球迷們的無品表現，卻不禁心中發毛。當李海強的入球被判越位無效，即有流氓摘水樽到球場洩憤；賽後更有不少人聚集入口，抗議黑哨云云。我以為CCTVB玩野，「蒙太奇」了中國球賽片段 . . . 其實，誤判越位，家常便飯，可能粉絲餓波太久餓瘋了？
只是，球迷表現失禮，被外國人見到了，不小看我們也不行吧？儘管外國可能「只是」科威特。
小時候，經常和老父到改建前的大球場睇波。九十年代的香港足球還堪一看。那時候東方是擂台躉 - - - 有當打的譚兆偉校炮，快翼和仔落底，加上鬼頭歷臣、譚拔士等在前線數糊，所向披靡。除了東方，南華、愉園、星島等實力亦相當不俗。因此，當年競爭異常激烈，球賽自然刺激精彩。可是，近年缺人「掟水」，沒錢羅致好外緩，球隊往往拉雜成軍，球賽變得乏味。球市門堪羅雀，入場人數屢創新低，小貓數十觀眾不是等閒事，經營慘淡不在話下。所以，對球迷而言，往後有新球場也無啥用。
改建後的大球場，我只到過一、兩次，對上一次也只是友人公司有免費波飛才勉力入場。新大球場雖則宏偉乾淨，不過無啖好食 - - - 除了「家香雞」，便是「勿當奴」。回想舊大球場，總浮現起鹵水雞脾的色香味。舊大球場氣氛熱鬧，上萬人看足球是平常事；新大球場氣氛也可以一樣熱鬧，看的卻變作欖球，而且「鬼」多過人。
因此，今趟南華創造奇蹟，「掙爆」大球場，令沙塵班主落淚，也是一個小「亮點」！只是，看到球迷們的無品表現，卻不禁心中發毛。當李海強的入球被判越位無效，即有流氓摘水樽到球場洩憤；賽後更有不少人聚集入口，抗議黑哨云云。我以為CCTVB玩野，「蒙太奇」了中國球賽片段 . . . 其實，誤判越位，家常便飯，可能粉絲餓波太久餓瘋了？
只是，球迷表現失禮，被外國人見到了，不小看我們也不行吧？儘管外國可能「只是」科威特。
2009年10月21日 星期三
Noise - 20091021
Two mainland post-graduates brawled in the hostel of CityU. The cause was suspected to be the persistent noise created by door bang.
Hong Kong is such a tiny place which millions of us have to squeeze out our everyday life. At home, we are so used to share a room with our siblings and be segregated by double-deck beds. In MTR, we pack ourselves with other commuters like a swarm of sardine. In the workplace, most of us the frontline foot soldiers could only hide behind a tiny table, or luckier in a cubicle with partitions low enough to see and be seen. Even in a park on Sunday, you would see loads of domestic helpers. Without prejudice, we are embraced by noise.
Sadly, noise is something you could never get used to and assimilate with, no matter how long you have faced it. Even worse, Chinese is a people nowadays see no importance on respect. Their selfish genes outmuscle the rest. Uneducated fathers keep on playing DVDs full of war scenes, in the reminiscence of the almighty leader Mao and the Red Army, and thus your home is full of bang! bang! bang! Uncivilized aunties just keeps on yelling to their phones, commenting the clamouring soap operas in the closed train compartments. Uncontrolled bosses impersonate Pavarotti with their room doors open. All of them are self-centred without exception.
As mankind is fallible, even the most decorum one, would break up when the tipping point is reached. Facing continuous noise, no matter Hong Kongers or Chinese, would at least talk back and more noise is thus generated. The vicious circle repeats.
Hong Kong is such a tiny place which millions of us have to squeeze out our everyday life. At home, we are so used to share a room with our siblings and be segregated by double-deck beds. In MTR, we pack ourselves with other commuters like a swarm of sardine. In the workplace, most of us the frontline foot soldiers could only hide behind a tiny table, or luckier in a cubicle with partitions low enough to see and be seen. Even in a park on Sunday, you would see loads of domestic helpers. Without prejudice, we are embraced by noise.
Sadly, noise is something you could never get used to and assimilate with, no matter how long you have faced it. Even worse, Chinese is a people nowadays see no importance on respect. Their selfish genes outmuscle the rest. Uneducated fathers keep on playing DVDs full of war scenes, in the reminiscence of the almighty leader Mao and the Red Army, and thus your home is full of bang! bang! bang! Uncivilized aunties just keeps on yelling to their phones, commenting the clamouring soap operas in the closed train compartments. Uncontrolled bosses impersonate Pavarotti with their room doors open. All of them are self-centred without exception.
As mankind is fallible, even the most decorum one, would break up when the tipping point is reached. Facing continuous noise, no matter Hong Kongers or Chinese, would at least talk back and more noise is thus generated. The vicious circle repeats.
2009年10月20日 星期二
自欺欺人？ - 20091020
學術期刊《Science》發現，placebo 能激發病人大腦釋出安多酚(endorphins)，發揮止痛效能。
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/medicine/article6877064.ece
這不是歪打正著嗎？當醫生以為藥石無靈，給你維他命c，聊以安慰；病人卻以為「勝利在望」，身體自行搞掂病痛。不過，我還是有一點懷疑。如果真是有「咁大隻夾隨街跳」，日常看病，有效藥物加上主觀願望，照理病應很快痊癒。但經驗告訴我們，事與願違的例子不少。
儘管如此，placebo 還是十分神奇的東西，更可以輕易地挑起教友與科學家的爭議。例如：
教友：你睇，科學有屁用！連腰骨痛都醫唔好 . . .
科學家：唔係醫唔好，只係唔知道 placebo 同大腦釋出 endorphins 既 mechanism 同埋 relationship。
教友：呢 d 咪 intelligent design 囉，係神既 invisible hands 令病人好番架。點石成金呀！
科學家：咁人既 defects、sin 又係 intelligent design？
教友：如果係 defects，神會 rectify。
. . .
不能解釋，只是人太渺小，能力太低，不可能全入 intelligent design 數。「神」總不能斷章取義，輸打贏要吧 ？
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/medicine/article6877064.ece
這不是歪打正著嗎？當醫生以為藥石無靈，給你維他命c，聊以安慰；病人卻以為「勝利在望」，身體自行搞掂病痛。不過，我還是有一點懷疑。如果真是有「咁大隻夾隨街跳」，日常看病，有效藥物加上主觀願望，照理病應很快痊癒。但經驗告訴我們，事與願違的例子不少。
儘管如此，placebo 還是十分神奇的東西，更可以輕易地挑起教友與科學家的爭議。例如：
教友：你睇，科學有屁用！連腰骨痛都醫唔好 . . .
科學家：唔係醫唔好，只係唔知道 placebo 同大腦釋出 endorphins 既 mechanism 同埋 relationship。
教友：呢 d 咪 intelligent design 囉，係神既 invisible hands 令病人好番架。點石成金呀！
科學家：咁人既 defects、sin 又係 intelligent design？
教友：如果係 defects，神會 rectify。
. . .
不能解釋，只是人太渺小，能力太低，不可能全入 intelligent design 數。「神」總不能斷章取義，輸打贏要吧 ？
2009年10月19日 星期一
TV Programme - 20091019
For people who have not subscribed those paid channels, and need to stick to the fucking TVB or damning ATV, it would be very unfortunate.
Thanks to monopoly, TVB would never produce satisfactory stuff. Originality is always out of reach; even for the copycat shows, like 「超級巨聲」, the production is incomparable to the learning target. No matter MCs, participants or judges, the software just seems a bit short. Even worse, those local soap operas are simply unwatchable. Every plot is more or less the same farce, though there may be a slim difference regarding the space and time of the background. Nonetheless, the main actors would never let you down, in the nature of suckness.
ATV seems to have sheerly given up the local production. You could only watch Korean produced series at night. Though, at least, it would be more entertaining than its opponent. However, the most abominable thing is, the out-dated 「還珠格格」, already shown on Monday to Friday's afternoon, would be encored like transmigration, on Saturday and Sunday.
Luckily, we could turn to paid channels. For example, on last weekend, the "Discovery Travel & Living" provided me various entertaining shows. From "Globe Trekker", I have a glimpse of India; Anthony Bourdain would always make you giggle in his "No Reservation", though he doesn't smoke anymore in front of the camera. Want some excitements? You could always switch to the sport channels. Those high intensity tennis matches like the final between Nadal and Davydenko was ready. Of course, the English Premier League football could always serve us the usual fun.
So again, we should treasure the joy which competition brings us.
Thanks to monopoly, TVB would never produce satisfactory stuff. Originality is always out of reach; even for the copycat shows, like 「超級巨聲」, the production is incomparable to the learning target. No matter MCs, participants or judges, the software just seems a bit short. Even worse, those local soap operas are simply unwatchable. Every plot is more or less the same farce, though there may be a slim difference regarding the space and time of the background. Nonetheless, the main actors would never let you down, in the nature of suckness.
ATV seems to have sheerly given up the local production. You could only watch Korean produced series at night. Though, at least, it would be more entertaining than its opponent. However, the most abominable thing is, the out-dated 「還珠格格」, already shown on Monday to Friday's afternoon, would be encored like transmigration, on Saturday and Sunday.
Luckily, we could turn to paid channels. For example, on last weekend, the "Discovery Travel & Living" provided me various entertaining shows. From "Globe Trekker", I have a glimpse of India; Anthony Bourdain would always make you giggle in his "No Reservation", though he doesn't smoke anymore in front of the camera. Want some excitements? You could always switch to the sport channels. Those high intensity tennis matches like the final between Nadal and Davydenko was ready. Of course, the English Premier League football could always serve us the usual fun.
So again, we should treasure the joy which competition brings us.
2009年10月18日 星期日
離乜譜 - 20091018
昨晚利物浦作客新特蘭輸0比1。戰果有點意外，入球方式更是出人意表。
開賽五分鐘，新特蘭的列特右路傳中。戴倫賓特，在新特蘭脫胎換骨的熱刺棄將，控下皮球，於離門十八碼左近以右腳抽射，至此一切仍然正常。奇怪的事及後出現了：當皮球正直飛龍門右下角，利物浦門將拉爾拿蓄勢以待撲救射門之際，皮球卻在小禁區，即離開龍門六碼處，彈中一個紅色的氣球。皮球因此改變飛行路線，往龍門左下方滑行，拉爾拿束手就擒。
戴倫賓特的入球，令我想到「足球小將」那些「立花兄弟」式的射門；再遠一點，還有「牛仔」漫畫。牛仔和爸爸玩射龍門，牛仔射門後球鞋飛脫，鞋的旋轉「變」出另一個皮球，令守門員爸爸不知所措。
事後大家當然聲討拉爾拿，為什麼不把氣球踏破。我沒有看這場直播，不能肯定紅軍門神有否足夠時間做此事。還是西報有內涵，翻查球例，說如皮球彈中一些場外障礙物，球證應判「drop ball」。此外，紅色氣球亦為利記小球迷所遺下，紅軍也可謂輸得不明不白。
平心而論，紅軍陣容確比上季遜色。一來失去了沙比阿朗素在中場控制節奏，二來主將如謝拉特表現失色，而加力查的退化更是明顯。因此，縱有托利斯在前線單天保至尊，可惜經常「贏埋唔夠輸」，我估計，利記將於季終跌出 Top 4。
* * *
補白：
下午由家出發，沿馬會道跑住粉嶺，至和合石，拐入大窩西支路。途經何家園、九龍坑、南華圃、圍頭村，至水圍轉到太和林村河口折返，全長約15公里，歷時1.5小時。
爽。天清朗、濕度低。山巒起伏，綠意盎然。偶有車輛經過，無傷大雅。但久疏長課，至中後段右滕赤痺，安全返家後人也散了。
開賽五分鐘，新特蘭的列特右路傳中。戴倫賓特，在新特蘭脫胎換骨的熱刺棄將，控下皮球，於離門十八碼左近以右腳抽射，至此一切仍然正常。奇怪的事及後出現了：當皮球正直飛龍門右下角，利物浦門將拉爾拿蓄勢以待撲救射門之際，皮球卻在小禁區，即離開龍門六碼處，彈中一個紅色的氣球。皮球因此改變飛行路線，往龍門左下方滑行，拉爾拿束手就擒。
戴倫賓特的入球，令我想到「足球小將」那些「立花兄弟」式的射門；再遠一點，還有「牛仔」漫畫。牛仔和爸爸玩射龍門，牛仔射門後球鞋飛脫，鞋的旋轉「變」出另一個皮球，令守門員爸爸不知所措。
事後大家當然聲討拉爾拿，為什麼不把氣球踏破。我沒有看這場直播，不能肯定紅軍門神有否足夠時間做此事。還是西報有內涵，翻查球例，說如皮球彈中一些場外障礙物，球證應判「drop ball」。此外，紅色氣球亦為利記小球迷所遺下，紅軍也可謂輸得不明不白。
平心而論，紅軍陣容確比上季遜色。一來失去了沙比阿朗素在中場控制節奏，二來主將如謝拉特表現失色，而加力查的退化更是明顯。因此，縱有托利斯在前線單天保至尊，可惜經常「贏埋唔夠輸」，我估計，利記將於季終跌出 Top 4。
* * *
補白：
下午由家出發，沿馬會道跑住粉嶺，至和合石，拐入大窩西支路。途經何家園、九龍坑、南華圃、圍頭村，至水圍轉到太和林村河口折返，全長約15公里，歷時1.5小時。
爽。天清朗、濕度低。山巒起伏，綠意盎然。偶有車輛經過，無傷大雅。但久疏長課，至中後段右滕赤痺，安全返家後人也散了。
2009年10月17日 星期六
Award - 20091017
Generally speaking, everybody would be welcome of being awarded, as a kind of recognition of what you have done. However, it would sometimes be a bit embarrassed, if people are endowed some of the awards, regarding its dubious reputation or nature.
The Bauhinia Medal is one of the sorts. This year, the three Grand Bauhinia Medallists (GBM) are Henry Tang, Joseph Yam and Harilela. Touted to be the most prestigious award to be earned by Hong Kongers, the awardees should be over the moon. Wait a minute, if the three of them would wonder, for a while, that who would be in the same league among them, they would find . . . 曾憲梓 . Gasp, swallow a mouth of saliva and, smile. So, a big question mark for them to put the new title in the name card.
Fred Li of the Democratic Party is awarded the lower-tier Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS). Being a member of the minority in the Legislature, it would not be uncommon to be recognized in an open society, like UK. But, in the Chinese society, the effect could be much dramatic. Comrades would think of the possibility of betrayal from Mr Li. Would he becomes, or long ago has been, the undercover of the government? It may trigger some suspicion among the easily jealous red-eyes.
So, brave enough to reject it?
The Bauhinia Medal is one of the sorts. This year, the three Grand Bauhinia Medallists (GBM) are Henry Tang, Joseph Yam and Harilela. Touted to be the most prestigious award to be earned by Hong Kongers, the awardees should be over the moon. Wait a minute, if the three of them would wonder, for a while, that who would be in the same league among them, they would find . . . 曾憲梓 . Gasp, swallow a mouth of saliva and, smile. So, a big question mark for them to put the new title in the name card.
Fred Li of the Democratic Party is awarded the lower-tier Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS). Being a member of the minority in the Legislature, it would not be uncommon to be recognized in an open society, like UK. But, in the Chinese society, the effect could be much dramatic. Comrades would think of the possibility of betrayal from Mr Li. Would he becomes, or long ago has been, the undercover of the government? It may trigger some suspicion among the easily jealous red-eyes.
So, brave enough to reject it?
2009年10月16日 星期五
游泳 - 20091016
趁冬季尚未來臨，要把握機會享受游泳。 噗！
游泳應該是我們與生俱來的技能。想想還是胚胎時，我們便在羊胎水裡載浮載沉十個月，理應練就了一副好身手。可是，善忘可能是我們基因中的一個小密碼吧，使大家一出世便把泳術遺忘得一乾二淨。
潛意識裡，人應該是喜歡游泳的。看看 Ian Wright，到不同的國家旅遊，他定必暢泳，以宗教儀式一般看待它。Ian Wright 每次下水，都很興奮，猶如返回母體。
我也喜歡游泳。家貧，當然不能幫襯「鬍鬚叔叔」習泳。因此，我是以最傳統的方式喚醒泳術的 - - - 被人踢進泳池，以掙扎式浮起。漸次，一邊看著「鬍鬚叔叔」的一群飛魚練習，一邊偷聽「鬍鬚叔叔」的訓示，自己慢慢改良泳姿。到現在，也可游數十個直池的距離鍛鍊。
變化最大的是女子的泳裝。從前，大家怕露肉，「見光死」，都愛在一件頭泳衣外加上T-shirt ，遮掩線條，不論曲直。現在，開放過籠，連傍晚城大的泳池也經常見到 bikini。其實，bikini 是方便曬太陽的裝束，屬於海灘；當然，在日光下的泳池看到它，也不為過。但在日落西山的泳池，bikini 應該讓路了。
游泳予人一種和日常生活不同的體驗。只有在水中，人才會意識到呼吸的重要。譬如游蛙式。雙手向外划開，上半身便會自然升出水面；吸入鮮氣，外划動作已老，兩掌併合，手臂向前劃動，腳往後蹬，頭已經再次沒入陰暗的水裡。呼氣吧！氣泡如一群小蝌蚪向泳鏡亂竄。別怕，再次把雙手往外撥，便能重見光明。上水吸氣和入水呼氣循環不息，生存與死亡的感覺反覆交替。慢慢地，習以為常。
游泳應該是我們與生俱來的技能。想想還是胚胎時，我們便在羊胎水裡載浮載沉十個月，理應練就了一副好身手。可是，善忘可能是我們基因中的一個小密碼吧，使大家一出世便把泳術遺忘得一乾二淨。
潛意識裡，人應該是喜歡游泳的。看看 Ian Wright，到不同的國家旅遊，他定必暢泳，以宗教儀式一般看待它。Ian Wright 每次下水，都很興奮，猶如返回母體。
我也喜歡游泳。家貧，當然不能幫襯「鬍鬚叔叔」習泳。因此，我是以最傳統的方式喚醒泳術的 - - - 被人踢進泳池，以掙扎式浮起。漸次，一邊看著「鬍鬚叔叔」的一群飛魚練習，一邊偷聽「鬍鬚叔叔」的訓示，自己慢慢改良泳姿。到現在，也可游數十個直池的距離鍛鍊。
變化最大的是女子的泳裝。從前，大家怕露肉，「見光死」，都愛在一件頭泳衣外加上T-shirt ，遮掩線條，不論曲直。現在，開放過籠，連傍晚城大的泳池也經常見到 bikini。其實，bikini 是方便曬太陽的裝束，屬於海灘；當然，在日光下的泳池看到它，也不為過。但在日落西山的泳池，bikini 應該讓路了。
游泳予人一種和日常生活不同的體驗。只有在水中，人才會意識到呼吸的重要。譬如游蛙式。雙手向外划開，上半身便會自然升出水面；吸入鮮氣，外划動作已老，兩掌併合，手臂向前劃動，腳往後蹬，頭已經再次沒入陰暗的水裡。呼氣吧！氣泡如一群小蝌蚪向泳鏡亂竄。別怕，再次把雙手往外撥，便能重見光明。上水吸氣和入水呼氣循環不息，生存與死亡的感覺反覆交替。慢慢地，習以為常。
2009年10月15日 星期四
Tinkering - 20091015
CE announced in the Policy Address that, in order to help conserving our environment, cash coupons would be dispensed to Hong Kongers who switch from traditional light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). What a challenging task it is!
Our government is nowadays so limped that, virtually no policy could be executed. CE, a self-claimed "politician", was once so aggressive and confident that he would "show hand" regarding the topic of universal suffrage. However, being a smartie, after sniffing the objection from the Central government, CE was tamed and muted. When anyone asked him the same question later, CE would promise, though ultra vire, that universal suffrage could be realized in 2017 the earliest. Cheques bounced, promises nullified and credibility gone.
As the dream of being a real "politician" bursted, CE could only stick to the maxim "more tasks more faults, no task no fault". With no courage to dump the Policy Address, CE had to find something to fill up the puzzle. No ambition to be made, CE came up with all the small thoughts. The promotion of CFLs is en example. It is quite amusing, with that kind of tiny stuff to be listed in the address of policy level. Such an one-off promotion, in that laughable importance, dwarfed the yearly event and at the end of the day, nobody would treat it serious anymore. By the way, by rendering cash coupons for the promotion, how many trees are sacrificed and how green the policy itself could be?
Unless CE's legs, sort of, are too painful for him to stand up and give the Policy Address, there are still two more to come.
Our government is nowadays so limped that, virtually no policy could be executed. CE, a self-claimed "politician", was once so aggressive and confident that he would "show hand" regarding the topic of universal suffrage. However, being a smartie, after sniffing the objection from the Central government, CE was tamed and muted. When anyone asked him the same question later, CE would promise, though ultra vire, that universal suffrage could be realized in 2017 the earliest. Cheques bounced, promises nullified and credibility gone.
As the dream of being a real "politician" bursted, CE could only stick to the maxim "more tasks more faults, no task no fault". With no courage to dump the Policy Address, CE had to find something to fill up the puzzle. No ambition to be made, CE came up with all the small thoughts. The promotion of CFLs is en example. It is quite amusing, with that kind of tiny stuff to be listed in the address of policy level. Such an one-off promotion, in that laughable importance, dwarfed the yearly event and at the end of the day, nobody would treat it serious anymore. By the way, by rendering cash coupons for the promotion, how many trees are sacrificed and how green the policy itself could be?
Unless CE's legs, sort of, are too painful for him to stand up and give the Policy Address, there are still two more to come.
2009年10月14日 星期三
天匯 - 20091014
珠玉「名鑄」在前，黃雀「天匯」在後。座落干德道，比鄰名校網。代價？豪得起，可考慮 66樓 A室半複式，6144方呎，定價 3.577億，呎價 6.3萬；平實d，12樓 A室最啱你， 2808方呎，定價 7341萬，呎價 2.61萬。
6.3萬一呎apartment，和目前全球最貴的倫敦 One Hyde Park睇齊。荒謬程度足以列入現代《世說新語》。爾等連「望門輕嘆」的資格也未有。
明明金融海嘯未完，失業率節節上升，股市及豪宅價格卻又拾級而上。昨日晚間新聞報導，月入7萬夫的婦也不能入市，對象只是荃灣、深井樓，800呎都要500萬。
又是熱錢惹的禍。甚麼是熱錢？金融海嘯，人民銀行不斷印人仔救市，息口低借貸易。但是，經濟低迷，借了錢的人不敢做生意，惟有投資，抄股抄樓。這些本為救市而印的銀紙，變成了熱錢；熱錢拿來投機，本末倒置，便是 unintended consequence。如果又變泡沫，我們窮鬼便得再受難了。只是，股樓齊倒塌的景象未呈，我們已經要面對通脹了。鬼叫港元同美元掛勾？美元貶值，香港乜都靠入口，買隻泰國蛋都貴幾毫 . . .
「天匯」出台。 sell「天國」concept的弟兄姊妹們：距離出街抓客的時間還遠嗎？
6.3萬一呎apartment，和目前全球最貴的倫敦 One Hyde Park睇齊。荒謬程度足以列入現代《世說新語》。爾等連「望門輕嘆」的資格也未有。
明明金融海嘯未完，失業率節節上升，股市及豪宅價格卻又拾級而上。昨日晚間新聞報導，月入7萬夫的婦也不能入市，對象只是荃灣、深井樓，800呎都要500萬。
又是熱錢惹的禍。甚麼是熱錢？金融海嘯，人民銀行不斷印人仔救市，息口低借貸易。但是，經濟低迷，借了錢的人不敢做生意，惟有投資，抄股抄樓。這些本為救市而印的銀紙，變成了熱錢；熱錢拿來投機，本末倒置，便是 unintended consequence。如果又變泡沫，我們窮鬼便得再受難了。只是，股樓齊倒塌的景象未呈，我們已經要面對通脹了。鬼叫港元同美元掛勾？美元貶值，香港乜都靠入口，買隻泰國蛋都貴幾毫 . . .
「天匯」出台。 sell「天國」concept的弟兄姊妹們：距離出街抓客的時間還遠嗎？
2009年10月13日 星期二
Compatriots - 20091013
Yesterday night a Russian, Marat Safin was playing against a Chinese, M Gong, in the first round of the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000. Safin won, as expected, nonetheless not that easy, in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
With several glances to the game, I was once again moved by the hospitality we Chinese served to our guest. Safin, "the Tsar", a 2-time grand slam champion who would retire by the end of 2009, played his last professional tennis competition in China. As the curtain was closing, I witnessed the Chinese lady fans grasped the final chance to chant for their hero, Marat. Some of the Chinese girls even exhibited the Russia flag. With that enormous backup, Safin eventually sent his opponent packed up and for a moment or two, I thought I was in Moscow.
It was so poor for Gong.
Gong, awarded a wild card to join this competition owing to nothing but his nationality, could have no chance to play the game in the same level elsewhere. Though tried his best, as the close scoreline could tell, Gong seemed to have won little claps among his compatriots.
When you watch matches held in other countries, usually fans would yell for their compatriot, even the player over the net is Federer. Surely, nobody would be so naive to misinterpret the general picture, that renowned players would still get support of the lion's share. However, being compatriots, either to patronize or else, westerners are more generous to back up the minnows of the same origin.
Though Chinese people always bicker for patriotism, the code "boost enemy's strength, dampen self morale" is still deep inside our DNA.
With several glances to the game, I was once again moved by the hospitality we Chinese served to our guest. Safin, "the Tsar", a 2-time grand slam champion who would retire by the end of 2009, played his last professional tennis competition in China. As the curtain was closing, I witnessed the Chinese lady fans grasped the final chance to chant for their hero, Marat. Some of the Chinese girls even exhibited the Russia flag. With that enormous backup, Safin eventually sent his opponent packed up and for a moment or two, I thought I was in Moscow.
It was so poor for Gong.
Gong, awarded a wild card to join this competition owing to nothing but his nationality, could have no chance to play the game in the same level elsewhere. Though tried his best, as the close scoreline could tell, Gong seemed to have won little claps among his compatriots.
When you watch matches held in other countries, usually fans would yell for their compatriot, even the player over the net is Federer. Surely, nobody would be so naive to misinterpret the general picture, that renowned players would still get support of the lion's share. However, being compatriots, either to patronize or else, westerners are more generous to back up the minnows of the same origin.
Though Chinese people always bicker for patriotism, the code "boost enemy's strength, dampen self morale" is still deep inside our DNA.
2009年10月12日 星期一
男子組 - 20091012
Boyzone同志主音Stephen Gately悄悄的走了。死因暫時不明。
Boyzone紅的時候，我家的YMC台正長期開放。當然，那些甚麼勞什子boy bands沒有可能是我杯茶，看YMC也不過是懶「酷」地追趕英倫音樂吧。但是，也不能不佩服那些組織 boy bands的老闆，他們心思細密，對市場分析極獨到。
以Boyzone為例。真正主音，像Ronan Keating，永遠是高加索種，即是金髮白皮膚的。只有以他們當主音，既不得失白人，也拉攏了一眾東方的崇洋妹妹。至於其餘「七個小矮人」，也絕不是拉雜而成的，他們各有特色：高大健碩的、壞孩子型的、跳舞特佳的等等，視乎當時社會流行品種而定。
而Stephen Gately則是boy band必備的另一個archetype：鄰家男孩我見猶憐型。不要小看這一類人，他們最能激發女士們的母愛。當Stephen Gately高八度唱出海豚音時，女粉絲都讚嘆：「這o靚仔真犀利呀！」他是女人心目中的Oedipus。
但是，當Stephen Gately「出櫃」那天，天真的人會說他是同志鬥士。其實，最虛偽，甚至最狡猾的就是他。試想想，明知自己基，卻投考boy band，在一眾女fans面前扭屎忽花，是不是當她們羊牯？還是，這小子攻心計，為了溝仔，「不入虎穴，焉得虎子」？
無從稽考了。
Boyzone紅的時候，我家的YMC台正長期開放。當然，那些甚麼勞什子boy bands沒有可能是我杯茶，看YMC也不過是懶「酷」地追趕英倫音樂吧。但是，也不能不佩服那些組織 boy bands的老闆，他們心思細密，對市場分析極獨到。
以Boyzone為例。真正主音，像Ronan Keating，永遠是高加索種，即是金髮白皮膚的。只有以他們當主音，既不得失白人，也拉攏了一眾東方的崇洋妹妹。至於其餘「七個小矮人」，也絕不是拉雜而成的，他們各有特色：高大健碩的、壞孩子型的、跳舞特佳的等等，視乎當時社會流行品種而定。
而Stephen Gately則是boy band必備的另一個archetype：鄰家男孩我見猶憐型。不要小看這一類人，他們最能激發女士們的母愛。當Stephen Gately高八度唱出海豚音時，女粉絲都讚嘆：「這o靚仔真犀利呀！」他是女人心目中的Oedipus。
但是，當Stephen Gately「出櫃」那天，天真的人會說他是同志鬥士。其實，最虛偽，甚至最狡猾的就是他。試想想，明知自己基，卻投考boy band，在一眾女fans面前扭屎忽花，是不是當她們羊牯？還是，這小子攻心計，為了溝仔，「不入虎穴，焉得虎子」？
無從稽考了。
2009年10月11日 星期日
Life or Dead - 20091011
Yesterday night John Higgins and Neil Robertson demonstrated how gripping snooker could be. In a best of eleven frames, down 5-3, Higgins forced to tie 5-5. In the final set, the players exchanged lead, and the winner was to be determined by the one who could pot in the final black ball. Robertson won, paradoxically, without the need to pot the black in the pocket.
Snooker was very popular in my teenager time. We naughty secondary school students would be pound to go to the billiard houses with school uniforms put on. However, except one of my classmates was a keen player of snooker, none of us could handle the difficult techniques required. By the way, the rent was way too expensive for us.
The popularity of snooker declined gradually, maybe we were too addicted to the cyber space by then? Recently, thanks to the emergence of Macro Fu, snooker was once again embraced by Hong Kongers. But, in the worldwide sense, snooker has been eking its way out. People complain that the game is too complex. They just turn to the simpler 9-Ball pool. To me, the fun between the two pool games is incomparable. In the sense of intellectuality, snooker is head and shoulder above its competitor.
True, everybody loves to watch the ball potted into the sockets. However, defence is the factor which makes snooker more intriguing than 9-Ball pool, as there is no defence at all for the latter. In the name of snooker, it explicitly speaks the importance of defence for the game. John Higgins, nicknamed "the Wizard", is the king of setting snooker. By placing the white ball sticking to the cushion, or behind the colour balls, the opponent has to unleash his creativity to save the ball. By 2 cushions, 3 cushions or even 4 cushions, together with a bit of luck, the target ball could be touched. Otherwise, the nightmare is awaiting.
Back to "the Wizard" downed to Robertson, the "Melbourne Machine". The "Melbourne Machine" had a first chance to dub the final black ball. The black ball slowly rolled towards the top right socket. However, it stopped 2 inches short. Luckily the white ball was on the opposite end. Then came "the Wizard" chance. He potted the long range shot, unfortunately, the black rattled off the pocket and stayed on the table. Higgins hoisted the white flag then.
What a gentleman game.
Snooker was very popular in my teenager time. We naughty secondary school students would be pound to go to the billiard houses with school uniforms put on. However, except one of my classmates was a keen player of snooker, none of us could handle the difficult techniques required. By the way, the rent was way too expensive for us.
The popularity of snooker declined gradually, maybe we were too addicted to the cyber space by then? Recently, thanks to the emergence of Macro Fu, snooker was once again embraced by Hong Kongers. But, in the worldwide sense, snooker has been eking its way out. People complain that the game is too complex. They just turn to the simpler 9-Ball pool. To me, the fun between the two pool games is incomparable. In the sense of intellectuality, snooker is head and shoulder above its competitor.
True, everybody loves to watch the ball potted into the sockets. However, defence is the factor which makes snooker more intriguing than 9-Ball pool, as there is no defence at all for the latter. In the name of snooker, it explicitly speaks the importance of defence for the game. John Higgins, nicknamed "the Wizard", is the king of setting snooker. By placing the white ball sticking to the cushion, or behind the colour balls, the opponent has to unleash his creativity to save the ball. By 2 cushions, 3 cushions or even 4 cushions, together with a bit of luck, the target ball could be touched. Otherwise, the nightmare is awaiting.
Back to "the Wizard" downed to Robertson, the "Melbourne Machine". The "Melbourne Machine" had a first chance to dub the final black ball. The black ball slowly rolled towards the top right socket. However, it stopped 2 inches short. Luckily the white ball was on the opposite end. Then came "the Wizard" chance. He potted the long range shot, unfortunately, the black rattled off the pocket and stayed on the table. Higgins hoisted the white flag then.
What a gentleman game.
2009年10月10日 星期六
o靚模 - 20091010
o靚模代表周秀娜被科大邀請出席座談會，又引發一輪紅眼症。
大眼仔、染金毛、俯身露南北半球，o靚模霸佔娛樂版的現象已持續了一會兒。今天明星們星光暗淡，容祖兒比梅艷芳、古巨基比張國榮 . . . 無得比；社會弱智化，男人變晒電車男。娛樂版為了撐下去，只好以大量性感o靚模照填滿空格了事。
周秀娜紅，因為她最專業，最懂得玩弄灰色地帶。在滿足餓男方面，她除了完成指定動作 - - - 毫不吝嗇 show 身裁外，還搬弄難道系數達 3.5 的體位：拍口含牙擦滴牙膏落心口等意淫照。其他o靚模，可能礎於想像力太貧乏，又或是家教太好道德太高，只因循於一般動作。就是那一點點 spicy，令周秀娜紅過患紅眼症的姊妹們。
最令我意外的，是周秀娜口才竟然不俗。當紅眼症的姊妹們攻擊她的寫真集教壞細路時，周一句「得」埋去：我本寫真集唔係教科書！哈哈，精彩！再想一想到其他明星說話的口齒不清，如容祖兒、如 Twins 等，她們拿甚麼鳥獎，致謝時那些鳥話令你無名火起時，周秀娜的小聰明是一股清泉。
周秀娜應邀出席科大座談會，她的勇氣已經值得鼓掌。事後周被狂插沒內涵，也是一眾紅眼症可預期的神經反射。真搞笑，難道你要周秀娜跟你文化系人討論後現代如 Foucault 嗎？如果其他o靚模有幸被邀，不會「露底」嗎？周秀娜坦言自己中五畢業，墨水不足，實在是勇者無懼。
周秀娜肯定會是o靚模潮退後的 survivor。
2009年10月9日 星期五
Buffet - 20091009
Hong Kongers are so fond of buffet, a symbol of crime. It is widely recognized that buffet lovers could never be described as of good taste. Nonetheless, I could not be exempted being one of them.
We human beings are a priori fixated with food. To be one of the seven deadly sins, gluttony is the culprit of our addiction to buffet. Though we could be fed with full stomach easily in our wealthy environment, and many of our comrades are already overweight, or even worse, obese, buffet is still a perennial seduction to ordinary people.
There would never be short of choices on the buffet table. Hong Kong, always trying to clinch the international status, could do it successfully in buffet. As a smart spending people, Hong Kongers would craft out a plan before the feast starts. Seafood instead of hot stuff, sashimi instead of sushi, sirloin instead of pork . . . we have to earn back the money spent. With the colourful and varied tantalizing food waving its hands, our saliva glands squeeze more lubricant. By competing with other animals, your adrenaline surges, you become happy and start gulping anything in front of you.
Eventually, the stomach is going to burst, and our avarice is quenched, temporary. Everybody swears not to touch buffet again. But a month goes by, another table is booked.
We human beings are a priori fixated with food. To be one of the seven deadly sins, gluttony is the culprit of our addiction to buffet. Though we could be fed with full stomach easily in our wealthy environment, and many of our comrades are already overweight, or even worse, obese, buffet is still a perennial seduction to ordinary people.
There would never be short of choices on the buffet table. Hong Kong, always trying to clinch the international status, could do it successfully in buffet. As a smart spending people, Hong Kongers would craft out a plan before the feast starts. Seafood instead of hot stuff, sashimi instead of sushi, sirloin instead of pork . . . we have to earn back the money spent. With the colourful and varied tantalizing food waving its hands, our saliva glands squeeze more lubricant. By competing with other animals, your adrenaline surges, you become happy and start gulping anything in front of you.
Eventually, the stomach is going to burst, and our avarice is quenched, temporary. Everybody swears not to touch buffet again. But a month goes by, another table is booked.
2009年10月8日 星期四
高錕 - 20091008
「光纖之父」高錕奪諾貝爾物理學獎，套用潮語一個，「讚」！
高錕奪諾獎，香港算不上是 contributing factor。高教授於英國完成學士至博士課程，在英國公司任職時發表有關光纖論文。所以，有資格碌高教授卡的，應該是白高敦，不是曾特首。我們總不能牽強地因高錕於香港就讀中學，便搞鑼搞鼓說咱培訓出諾貝爾獎得主吧。還有，高教授持英美雙重國籍。
光纖對人類的影響是革命性的。有了它，資訊真的做到了全球互通。影像、聲音、文字 . . . 都能自由地遊走於地球每一角落，實現了「天涯若比鄰」。連獨裁者想完全封鎖消息，也變得不可能。像伊朗大選，反對派便以 Twitter 衝破了當權派的箝制。想像在沒有光纖的時代，街頭派報紙能收同效嗎？
高錕當中大校長時的風度更是令人敬佩。放下身段，於校內參加電影欣賞會，和太太於超市牽手購物，完全融入校園。在大學開放日演講，被學生搶咪抗議，高校長力排眾議，反對處罰該學生。這才是「和而不同」的身體力行！真正的教育家該當如此。反觀今天各大學的正副校長呢？不是屈服於淫審處的淫威，就是在佐敦叫雞 . . .
可惜，高錕不幸患上老人癡呆症。再次證明，好人好報是神話。
高錕奪諾獎，香港算不上是 contributing factor。高教授於英國完成學士至博士課程，在英國公司任職時發表有關光纖論文。所以，有資格碌高教授卡的，應該是白高敦，不是曾特首。我們總不能牽強地因高錕於香港就讀中學，便搞鑼搞鼓說咱培訓出諾貝爾獎得主吧。還有，高教授持英美雙重國籍。
光纖對人類的影響是革命性的。有了它，資訊真的做到了全球互通。影像、聲音、文字 . . . 都能自由地遊走於地球每一角落，實現了「天涯若比鄰」。連獨裁者想完全封鎖消息，也變得不可能。像伊朗大選，反對派便以 Twitter 衝破了當權派的箝制。想像在沒有光纖的時代，街頭派報紙能收同效嗎？
高錕當中大校長時的風度更是令人敬佩。放下身段，於校內參加電影欣賞會，和太太於超市牽手購物，完全融入校園。在大學開放日演講，被學生搶咪抗議，高校長力排眾議，反對處罰該學生。這才是「和而不同」的身體力行！真正的教育家該當如此。反觀今天各大學的正副校長呢？不是屈服於淫審處的淫威，就是在佐敦叫雞 . . .
可惜，高錕不幸患上老人癡呆症。再次證明，好人好報是神話。
2009年10月7日 星期三
Kam Nai Wai - 20091007
刀刀 said Kam Nai Wai was the ugly version of 許紹雄. What an appropriate label it is.
許紹雄, the usual buffoon of soap opera, is already bad-looking. Kam, a middle age uncle, with receding hair and a rocky face comparable to the moon's surface, could defeat Hui easily in the sense of vulgarity. Strangely, Kam was rumored to commit affair and logically, the woman rejected him categorically. The woman, who was hired by Kam, subsequently became a victim as she suffered from dismissal.
People clamoured that Kam should quit his job of legislator, for the sake of dishonesty. To me, Kam's departure of the legislature is though a must, the cause should instead be absurdity.
It is sufficiently absurd for the classic colonial legislature to be seated by a man of such a hideous outlook. It is even more absurd for such an ugly mediocre to act as Don Juan. Men with unpleasant face could be welcomed by women, apparently if he is rich or talented will do. Sadly, Kam could never reach the threshold of these groups. Kam, to put a hand on such an effrontery, could only be backed up by an invisible hand, power. With so many failure trials to squeeze in the legislature, Kam could eventually make his successful bid only because of Martin Lee's departure. His limited ability is well understood. Unfortunately, he seemed to be anaesthetised by the power endowed. His heads, both the bigger if he got one and the smaller, being thickened by blood, were out of control and thus, he was crashed.
Please sweep this abominable bastard out to avoid making our eyes sore.
許紹雄, the usual buffoon of soap opera, is already bad-looking. Kam, a middle age uncle, with receding hair and a rocky face comparable to the moon's surface, could defeat Hui easily in the sense of vulgarity. Strangely, Kam was rumored to commit affair and logically, the woman rejected him categorically. The woman, who was hired by Kam, subsequently became a victim as she suffered from dismissal.
People clamoured that Kam should quit his job of legislator, for the sake of dishonesty. To me, Kam's departure of the legislature is though a must, the cause should instead be absurdity.
It is sufficiently absurd for the classic colonial legislature to be seated by a man of such a hideous outlook. It is even more absurd for such an ugly mediocre to act as Don Juan. Men with unpleasant face could be welcomed by women, apparently if he is rich or talented will do. Sadly, Kam could never reach the threshold of these groups. Kam, to put a hand on such an effrontery, could only be backed up by an invisible hand, power. With so many failure trials to squeeze in the legislature, Kam could eventually make his successful bid only because of Martin Lee's departure. His limited ability is well understood. Unfortunately, he seemed to be anaesthetised by the power endowed. His heads, both the bigger if he got one and the smaller, being thickened by blood, were out of control and thus, he was crashed.
Please sweep this abominable bastard out to avoid making our eyes sore.
2009年10月6日 星期二
望子成龍 - 20091006
一對武漢夫婦，為 5 歲的女兒於今夏暑假報了 12 個興趣班，當中包括：幼兒英語、心算、跆拳道、游泳、鋼琴、親子班等。女兒懷疑吃不消，經常以身體撞牆，武漢夫婦嚇得要帶她去看心理醫生。
樂觀看，可能是女兒過度偏愛跆拳道，以為自己練就了一身鐵頭功、鐵布衫，故而以牆壁一試身手。如此這般，不就如願以償，望子「成龍」了嗎？
女兒自毀原因，正路當是揠苗助長失敗之果。也不明白那對武漢夫婦和女兒有甚麼大仇口，要這般折磨她。
現今香港父母和武漢夫婦的 mindset 根本一樣。他們要不是成天幻想自己的孩子是天才，就是拚命跟其他同事比較孩子。因此，小孩子不是忙著上play group，就是上興趣班。最後，每個小孩子都有兩、三個興趣班跟身，數目和保單一樣多。但是，到頭來，你又認識多少個兒童音樂家、運動家？無 . . .
最大問題是，成天忙著學這學那，父母忘記了教育小孩子最應該擁有的東西：家教。現在的細路，成天吃老麥，胖得似波；再加以勁寸咀的態度，終日諸多辯駁，實在嘔心。那些父母還以為自己好醒，生而不教不特止，還反罵好心勸導「哈哈霸」的好心人「大哈細」。就算孩子走運，學業混得過去；沒有禮貌的話，也和禽獸無異。
為了懲罰父母，應該反為他們安排12個興趣班，讓他們明白「己所不欲，勿施於人」的道理。
樂觀看，可能是女兒過度偏愛跆拳道，以為自己練就了一身鐵頭功、鐵布衫，故而以牆壁一試身手。如此這般，不就如願以償，望子「成龍」了嗎？
女兒自毀原因，正路當是揠苗助長失敗之果。也不明白那對武漢夫婦和女兒有甚麼大仇口，要這般折磨她。
現今香港父母和武漢夫婦的 mindset 根本一樣。他們要不是成天幻想自己的孩子是天才，就是拚命跟其他同事比較孩子。因此，小孩子不是忙著上play group，就是上興趣班。最後，每個小孩子都有兩、三個興趣班跟身，數目和保單一樣多。但是，到頭來，你又認識多少個兒童音樂家、運動家？無 . . .
最大問題是，成天忙著學這學那，父母忘記了教育小孩子最應該擁有的東西：家教。現在的細路，成天吃老麥，胖得似波；再加以勁寸咀的態度，終日諸多辯駁，實在嘔心。那些父母還以為自己好醒，生而不教不特止，還反罵好心勸導「哈哈霸」的好心人「大哈細」。就算孩子走運，學業混得過去；沒有禮貌的話，也和禽獸無異。
為了懲罰父母，應該反為他們安排12個興趣班，讓他們明白「己所不欲，勿施於人」的道理。
2009年10月5日 星期一
Autumn - 20091005
When my nose starts sneezing, which means, the signal of autumn arrival, is on.
The irritating global warming delays the coming of autumn. We used to gradually put on the deep blue cardigans from mid-September, some 10 years ago, when I was still in secondary school. Now, sleeveless shirts are still omnipresent in October. Excellent for gentleman's sight, but not as good as for the electric bills.
Though the temperature is still high, and the mercury in the thermometer could surge to as high as 32 degree Celsius in the afternoon, luckily, the descending humidity smothers the killing effect of the heat. Under the balmy sunshine, people could relax, through jogging on the road, or sunbath beside the pool.
Sometimes, thanks to the dry air, your allergic runny nose and itchy dry skin could drive you mad. However, most of the time, autumn is so cute that you just put up with its handicap, and embrace it without a second thought. Huh, like a lovely woman.
The irritating global warming delays the coming of autumn. We used to gradually put on the deep blue cardigans from mid-September, some 10 years ago, when I was still in secondary school. Now, sleeveless shirts are still omnipresent in October. Excellent for gentleman's sight, but not as good as for the electric bills.
Though the temperature is still high, and the mercury in the thermometer could surge to as high as 32 degree Celsius in the afternoon, luckily, the descending humidity smothers the killing effect of the heat. Under the balmy sunshine, people could relax, through jogging on the road, or sunbath beside the pool.
Sometimes, thanks to the dry air, your allergic runny nose and itchy dry skin could drive you mad. However, most of the time, autumn is so cute that you just put up with its handicap, and embrace it without a second thought. Huh, like a lovely woman.
2009年10月4日 星期日
月餅 - 20091004
現在的「月餅」，90%已經不是月餅了。
變種的情況大概如是：先是「X班」平地一聲雷的創作了「冰皮月餅」。及後，雪糕店有「雪糕月餅」、朱古力店有「朱古力月餅」。總之，唔怕面紅嗌得出口既都叫得做「月餅」。其實，這些都不是月餅，只是甜餅，只是奇技淫巧。
於我而言，真正的月餅，餡料從來都是蓮蓉或豆沙，矜貴的加入咸蛋黃；不嗜甜的可以咸香的伍仁取代。至於餅皮，都是一襲經烘焗而鬆化了的黃衣。而包裝的鐵盒，多以楷書名以餅家字號，配之中國名花如牡丹之流。
對講求健康又富裕的香港人，傳統月餅又甜又膩。咬一小口，已經嚷著膽固醇超標，要生要死云云。這是忘本了。從前，我們是貧苦大眾，個個以勞動為生，日日鹹魚青菜白飯，只能憶苦思甜。中秋是大節，人月倆團圓，自要吃得好，自要吃得甜。是故，月餅是甜膩定了。
可憐時下小朋友，仇視月餅，不見冰皮、朱古力便喊苦喊忽。也活該他們現在不能享受煲蠟樂趣。
變種的情況大概如是：先是「X班」平地一聲雷的創作了「冰皮月餅」。及後，雪糕店有「雪糕月餅」、朱古力店有「朱古力月餅」。總之，唔怕面紅嗌得出口既都叫得做「月餅」。其實，這些都不是月餅，只是甜餅，只是奇技淫巧。
於我而言，真正的月餅，餡料從來都是蓮蓉或豆沙，矜貴的加入咸蛋黃；不嗜甜的可以咸香的伍仁取代。至於餅皮，都是一襲經烘焗而鬆化了的黃衣。而包裝的鐵盒，多以楷書名以餅家字號，配之中國名花如牡丹之流。
對講求健康又富裕的香港人，傳統月餅又甜又膩。咬一小口，已經嚷著膽固醇超標，要生要死云云。這是忘本了。從前，我們是貧苦大眾，個個以勞動為生，日日鹹魚青菜白飯，只能憶苦思甜。中秋是大節，人月倆團圓，自要吃得好，自要吃得甜。是故，月餅是甜膩定了。
可憐時下小朋友，仇視月餅，不見冰皮、朱古力便喊苦喊忽。也活該他們現在不能享受煲蠟樂趣。
2009年10月3日 星期六
Ig Nobel prizes - 20091003
The ceremony, organized by the magazine Annals of Improbable Research, is aiming at honour achievements that "first make people laugh and then make them think".
HaHa, I just cannot stop laughing.
The winner of public health, a bra-convertible-mask, is truly genius. The traditional masks are too dull to wear. They are too clean, too rigid and too homogeneous. With this winner, we men are the definite beneficiary. By baring the freshly stripped bra on our heads, we could feel the scent and warm of our lovers. With sundry colour, lace and material, suddenly, mask becomes such a lovely gadget. In addition, the highness of bridge is coincidentally proportionate to the cup size of breast for different races and thus, the flat nose we Easterners have matches the generally available A-cup.
The hardship that the medicine winner has been suffering could also not be underestimated. Being a guinea pig himself, Donald L Unger continuously cracks his knuckles but the right hand for 60 years, in order to investigate the likeliness of arthritis by the different treatments. I mean, being a fond cracker of knuckles myself, it is of utmost difficulty to repress the seduction of cracking all the joints, for the sake of completeness. So, Mr Unger's tolerance could not be overlooked.
With the motto "勤有功，戲無益", every Chinese parents would have their brows puckered by reading this news. However, Westerners are so causal that even genuine Nobel Prize laureates attended the ceremony as presenters. So again, humour please.
HaHa, I just cannot stop laughing.
The winner of public health, a bra-convertible-mask, is truly genius. The traditional masks are too dull to wear. They are too clean, too rigid and too homogeneous. With this winner, we men are the definite beneficiary. By baring the freshly stripped bra on our heads, we could feel the scent and warm of our lovers. With sundry colour, lace and material, suddenly, mask becomes such a lovely gadget. In addition, the highness of bridge is coincidentally proportionate to the cup size of breast for different races and thus, the flat nose we Easterners have matches the generally available A-cup.
The hardship that the medicine winner has been suffering could also not be underestimated. Being a guinea pig himself, Donald L Unger continuously cracks his knuckles but the right hand for 60 years, in order to investigate the likeliness of arthritis by the different treatments. I mean, being a fond cracker of knuckles myself, it is of utmost difficulty to repress the seduction of cracking all the joints, for the sake of completeness. So, Mr Unger's tolerance could not be overlooked.
With the motto "勤有功，戲無益", every Chinese parents would have their brows puckered by reading this news. However, Westerners are so causal that even genuine Nobel Prize laureates attended the ceremony as presenters. So again, humour please.
2009年10月2日 星期五
波兒個海 - 20091002
報載，《崖上的波兒》的取景藍本，日本廣島縣福山市風景區革丙之浦，原有填海架橋工程。後因廣島民眾強烈要求，當地地方法院下令停止。
區區一個革丙之浦，只是一個甚麼鬼瀨戶內海的一道風景線，亦不過湊巧被那一部甚麼鳥和歌集《萬葉集》詠唱過，咁就唔俾填海？
如果日本仔官稍有國際視野，便應該立即派員香港，向林鄭月娥等發展局官員取經。講到填海經驗，香港認第二無人敢認第一。看看維港，現在才填到第三期罷了，還有第四、五期等開工。好心死日本仔自省一下，經濟已經長年衰退無出路。還不學學香港，年年十大基建，條路掘爛又鋪過。建築工人有飯開，市民有新樓新路用，雙贏啦！
廣島居民反對建橋原因是，「. . . 工程不僅改變海岸線，江戶時代的港灣設施如『常夜燈』和『雁木』等都會被大橋擋著，《崖上的波兒》裏呈現過只有退潮才外露的船舶維修廠也會受破壞 . . .」只能嘆日本人科技落後。看看香港，成棟美利樓拆左都可以係赤柱重現眼前啦。仲有，皇后碼頭拆下，變左lego咁款既「可裝嵌組件」，過幾年填完海砌番，咪又一條好漢？所以，果d乜叉「常夜燈」、「雁木」、船舶維修廠 . . . 照辦煮碗咪得囉。
無理由我地香港官就個個都係「精衛」先識填海既。仲有，你波兒個海有乜咁矜貴先？海，就緊係攞黎填架啦。
區區一個革丙之浦，只是一個甚麼鬼瀨戶內海的一道風景線，亦不過湊巧被那一部甚麼鳥和歌集《萬葉集》詠唱過，咁就唔俾填海？
如果日本仔官稍有國際視野，便應該立即派員香港，向林鄭月娥等發展局官員取經。講到填海經驗，香港認第二無人敢認第一。看看維港，現在才填到第三期罷了，還有第四、五期等開工。好心死日本仔自省一下，經濟已經長年衰退無出路。還不學學香港，年年十大基建，條路掘爛又鋪過。建築工人有飯開，市民有新樓新路用，雙贏啦！
廣島居民反對建橋原因是，「. . . 工程不僅改變海岸線，江戶時代的港灣設施如『常夜燈』和『雁木』等都會被大橋擋著，《崖上的波兒》裏呈現過只有退潮才外露的船舶維修廠也會受破壞 . . .」只能嘆日本人科技落後。看看香港，成棟美利樓拆左都可以係赤柱重現眼前啦。仲有，皇后碼頭拆下，變左lego咁款既「可裝嵌組件」，過幾年填完海砌番，咪又一條好漢？所以，果d乜叉「常夜燈」、「雁木」、船舶維修廠 . . . 照辦煮碗咪得囉。
無理由我地香港官就個個都係「精衛」先識填海既。仲有，你波兒個海有乜咁矜貴先？海，就緊係攞黎填架啦。
2009年10月1日 星期四
Speechless - 20091001
Today is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of New China. I am way too moved to watch from TV the extravagant celebration ceremony held in Beijing.
The Liberation Army shows off the biceps explicitly to the world. All the state-of-the-art military machinery are generously under broad day light exhibition. More importantly, the soldiers themselves present their stoic discipline by the simultaneous and synchronized movement. We Chinese are no longer "The Patient of East Asia"! Though we Chinese are militarily well equipped, as a people fond of peace, we would never bring any threat to our neighbours. The military stuff is just for exhibition only.
The proletarians give a prefect demonstration on harmony. Though with as many as 56 ethnic groups, we Chinese could get on well among brothers and sisters with different blood streams. You see, only the most harmonious comrades could work together, flashing those cardboards to build up numerous graphites with the highest complexity. The cohesiveness among we Chinese is beyond question and those rumours of riot in Urumqi could never hold water!
My father is so influenced by the grandiose pictures, his eyes are red and wet throughout the whole ceremony. I, on the contrary, giggle when I walk pass the TV and give some glances sporadically. I am happy for the awaken dragon.
The Liberation Army shows off the biceps explicitly to the world. All the state-of-the-art military machinery are generously under broad day light exhibition. More importantly, the soldiers themselves present their stoic discipline by the simultaneous and synchronized movement. We Chinese are no longer "The Patient of East Asia"! Though we Chinese are militarily well equipped, as a people fond of peace, we would never bring any threat to our neighbours. The military stuff is just for exhibition only.
The proletarians give a prefect demonstration on harmony. Though with as many as 56 ethnic groups, we Chinese could get on well among brothers and sisters with different blood streams. You see, only the most harmonious comrades could work together, flashing those cardboards to build up numerous graphites with the highest complexity. The cohesiveness among we Chinese is beyond question and those rumours of riot in Urumqi could never hold water!
My father is so influenced by the grandiose pictures, his eyes are red and wet throughout the whole ceremony. I, on the contrary, giggle when I walk pass the TV and give some glances sporadically. I am happy for the awaken dragon.
2009年9月30日 星期三
大頭鬼 - 20090930
日前，補習社導師駕保時捷撞車身亡。其補習社啟事稱亡者為「教育家」。此為港人喜充「大頭鬼」又一「活學」例證。啟事摘錄如下：
「. . . Lai Sir 熱愛工作、有責任感，是位富有理想及熱誠的教育家，他對教學的堅持、對學校的發展均有前瞻獨到的見解，是我們一眾的學習榜樣 . . . 」
區區補習社導師一條，竟敢成「家」？誠然，導師有市場觸覺，嗅到冤大頭的位置，靠補習賺了大錢，飲得杯落。在搵銀方面，作為我輩香港人的學習榜樣，他當之無愧。但是，如今補習社為他追封「教育家」這「謚號」，卻實在飴笑大方。試想想，胡適、蔡元培是從前想當然的教育家；現在，補習社導師又是「教育家」；那麼，我們大學時曾幫人補習，又是否可在CV自稱「教育家」呢？屌 . . .
中國人真是「言詞的巨人」。一年交幾千塊錢，便可以開間一人公司，過其行政總裁癮；一個動作片演員，聲夠大面皮夠厚，便可僭越導演，妄稱電影是其作品；文盲戲子係才女；跑龍套係藝術工作者；妓女係性工作者 . . . 其實，通通都係大頭鬼！
也難怪，身處光速時代，任何事都講求單刀直入。慢慢地，腦袋只能條件反射，變得不懂思考。因此，當「含蓄」由美德變成兜圈、唔明白、玩野甚至整色整水，最後得以「含七」告終時，我們只好事事「畫公仔畫出腸」，繼而「吹水唔抹咀」，以致「吹大左」，更甚是「吹爆左」。
所以，「先敬羅衣後敬人」，有時真係害死人。
「. . . Lai Sir 熱愛工作、有責任感，是位富有理想及熱誠的教育家，他對教學的堅持、對學校的發展均有前瞻獨到的見解，是我們一眾的學習榜樣 . . . 」
區區補習社導師一條，竟敢成「家」？誠然，導師有市場觸覺，嗅到冤大頭的位置，靠補習賺了大錢，飲得杯落。在搵銀方面，作為我輩香港人的學習榜樣，他當之無愧。但是，如今補習社為他追封「教育家」這「謚號」，卻實在飴笑大方。試想想，胡適、蔡元培是從前想當然的教育家；現在，補習社導師又是「教育家」；那麼，我們大學時曾幫人補習，又是否可在CV自稱「教育家」呢？屌 . . .
中國人真是「言詞的巨人」。一年交幾千塊錢，便可以開間一人公司，過其行政總裁癮；一個動作片演員，聲夠大面皮夠厚，便可僭越導演，妄稱電影是其作品；文盲戲子係才女；跑龍套係藝術工作者；妓女係性工作者 . . . 其實，通通都係大頭鬼！
也難怪，身處光速時代，任何事都講求單刀直入。慢慢地，腦袋只能條件反射，變得不懂思考。因此，當「含蓄」由美德變成兜圈、唔明白、玩野甚至整色整水，最後得以「含七」告終時，我們只好事事「畫公仔畫出腸」，繼而「吹水唔抹咀」，以致「吹大左」，更甚是「吹爆左」。
所以，「先敬羅衣後敬人」，有時真係害死人。
2009年9月29日 星期二
Congenital Liar - 20090929
William Safire, the columnist accused Hilary Clinton as "a congenital liar", died of pancreatic cancer on 26 Sep 2009.
I seldom read Safire's articles, and would prefer his column "On Language" to the "Op-Ed" ones. Though sometimes interesting, the languages used, to me, were usually Greek. Say, to understand the famous proverb "nattering nabobs of negativism", I had to look up two words in the dictionary.
You have to appreciate the freedom and openness that US advocates and adopts. In the so call left wing New York Times, William Safire, as a republican, could be employed for 30 years. Can you imagine Apply Daily to hire 劉廼強 as their chief writer? I am not saying the freedom Hong Kong enjoys is incomparable to the US's, but the quality of readers makes the difference .
Safire also epitomized what a professional spinner should be. The photo taken in 1959, between Khrushchev and Nixon, framed as "The Kitchen Debate", saved million words to promote the edge of Capitalism. Even Armstrong and Aldrin completed the "mission impossible", the situational speech of their sacrifice has been beautifully prepared as part of the plan.
Bill Clinton wanted to punch Safire's nose after Hilary was called "a congenital liar". It should has bemused many people. As the "king of congenital liars" himself, filthy Bill may be a little bit vexed why Safire did not give the name to him. Philosophically speaking, according to 荀子, "Mankind is vicious" and thus we are all the same, more or less. So, no need to get mad.
I seldom read Safire's articles, and would prefer his column "On Language" to the "Op-Ed" ones. Though sometimes interesting, the languages used, to me, were usually Greek. Say, to understand the famous proverb "nattering nabobs of negativism", I had to look up two words in the dictionary.
You have to appreciate the freedom and openness that US advocates and adopts. In the so call left wing New York Times, William Safire, as a republican, could be employed for 30 years. Can you imagine Apply Daily to hire 劉廼強 as their chief writer? I am not saying the freedom Hong Kong enjoys is incomparable to the US's, but the quality of readers makes the difference .
Safire also epitomized what a professional spinner should be. The photo taken in 1959, between Khrushchev and Nixon, framed as "The Kitchen Debate", saved million words to promote the edge of Capitalism. Even Armstrong and Aldrin completed the "mission impossible", the situational speech of their sacrifice has been beautifully prepared as part of the plan.
Bill Clinton wanted to punch Safire's nose after Hilary was called "a congenital liar". It should has bemused many people. As the "king of congenital liars" himself, filthy Bill may be a little bit vexed why Safire did not give the name to him. Philosophically speaking, according to 荀子, "Mankind is vicious" and thus we are all the same, more or less. So, no need to get mad.
2009年9月28日 星期一
師傅 - 20090928
今早乘小巴上班，司機是新手。女師傅從旁指導，循循善誘，非常熱心。
在香港，「師徒制」似乎已經是瀕臨絕種動物，原因有很多。
「知識普及」應該是其中一個共犯。「師徒制」的教授模式，以「口傳身授」居多。例如中醫，偏方秘方從前多是一派相承，不入門弟子難窺其獨門秘技。今天，要在香港做註冊中醫，沒有學位卻不行了。既然技藝已經「學位化」，師傅亦已變成教授、光碟、Wikipedia、甚至YouTube的files了。
「機械化」是師傅消失的另一原因。無可否認，機器使我們的生活得到重大改善。裁縫換作車衣女工、木匠入榫換作黏膠水、手剁魚蛋換作四海魚蛋 . . . 高效率和同一化的商品淘汰了師傅。代價可不小，衣服再沒有裁縫的貼身、傢具再沒有入榫的穩陣、魚蛋也再沒有手剁的彈牙。
最大問題是「教識徙弟無師傅」。現在道德淪亡，勿說尊師重道，普通一聲「唔該」要出自一眾「80後」口中也是珍罕。當契弟們有問題，師傅像是「老奉」要教曉他們似的。因此，「施恩莫望報」是鐵定了。此外，師傅質素每況愈下可能亦是原因之一，他們害怕被取代，終日誠惶誠恐。
當今天事物都未經師傅鞭策，註定樣樣事情和稀泥，最後就只能嘆「恨鐵不成鋼」了。
在香港，「師徒制」似乎已經是瀕臨絕種動物，原因有很多。
「知識普及」應該是其中一個共犯。「師徒制」的教授模式，以「口傳身授」居多。例如中醫，偏方秘方從前多是一派相承，不入門弟子難窺其獨門秘技。今天，要在香港做註冊中醫，沒有學位卻不行了。既然技藝已經「學位化」，師傅亦已變成教授、光碟、Wikipedia、甚至YouTube的files了。
「機械化」是師傅消失的另一原因。無可否認，機器使我們的生活得到重大改善。裁縫換作車衣女工、木匠入榫換作黏膠水、手剁魚蛋換作四海魚蛋 . . . 高效率和同一化的商品淘汰了師傅。代價可不小，衣服再沒有裁縫的貼身、傢具再沒有入榫的穩陣、魚蛋也再沒有手剁的彈牙。
最大問題是「教識徙弟無師傅」。現在道德淪亡，勿說尊師重道，普通一聲「唔該」要出自一眾「80後」口中也是珍罕。當契弟們有問題，師傅像是「老奉」要教曉他們似的。因此，「施恩莫望報」是鐵定了。此外，師傅質素每況愈下可能亦是原因之一，他們害怕被取代，終日誠惶誠恐。
當今天事物都未經師傅鞭策，註定樣樣事情和稀泥，最後就只能嘆「恨鐵不成鋼」了。
2009年9月27日 星期日
Voyage - 20090927
Yesterday we went to Cheung Chau, the long forgotten island which the four of us have not been stepped on for years. I guess nobody would love to go there by helicopter, which the service is rendered by Government Flying Service. Thus, ship would be the only accessible means.
Living in a coastal city, there should be no less opportunities for Hong Kongers to sail. Though the Victoria Harbour has virtually become a ditch, many people, no matter visitors or local ones, would still be happy to commute between Central and TST by the cheap Star Ferry. For longer voyages, there are plenty of choices, say to Macau; or those gambling cruises, which are popular among aunties in public housing estates.
Traveling by ships gives me mixed feelings. The faster the vessels, the duller the experience.
Thanks to Turbojet, we could go to Macau in around an hour. However, as the ship is in that cheetah-swift, you could only have fleeting glimpses to the surroundings. Even worse, if you choose New World First Ferry instead of Turbojet, the greater ups and downs inside the cabin would exhaust all the available vomit bags. Nobody would love to lose weighs in such a vigorous way, and NWFF is thus one of my personal everlasting blacklist items.
On the contrary, slow ferries could give you an irreplaceable holiday mood. Star Ferry could always give you some sorts of peace, even in that mere several minutes trip. In the voyage to Cheung Chau, the slow vessel is an excellent tranquilizer. Sitting in the open cabin, situated in the rear of the ship, the decker allowed you to feel the breeze, smell the salt and touch the sticky air. When we were on our way back to Central, under the comfortable pace, Cheung Chau first lingered around. Below the shining new moon, Cheung Chau gradually contracted as a barely visible point. Enchanted in the intoxicating ambience, suddenly, we found ourselves were embraced by the twinkling hoardings along the parallel sides of the Victoria Harbour.
N shared a little joke on the return trip. When she visited Thailand some 10 years ago, one of the spots was Pattaya which a super rocky boat trip was involved. Landed, all the comrades vomited, except two groups of people - - - one from Cheung Chau and the other from Yuen Long. They were used to the tumbling lives!
Living in a coastal city, there should be no less opportunities for Hong Kongers to sail. Though the Victoria Harbour has virtually become a ditch, many people, no matter visitors or local ones, would still be happy to commute between Central and TST by the cheap Star Ferry. For longer voyages, there are plenty of choices, say to Macau; or those gambling cruises, which are popular among aunties in public housing estates.
Traveling by ships gives me mixed feelings. The faster the vessels, the duller the experience.
Thanks to Turbojet, we could go to Macau in around an hour. However, as the ship is in that cheetah-swift, you could only have fleeting glimpses to the surroundings. Even worse, if you choose New World First Ferry instead of Turbojet, the greater ups and downs inside the cabin would exhaust all the available vomit bags. Nobody would love to lose weighs in such a vigorous way, and NWFF is thus one of my personal everlasting blacklist items.
On the contrary, slow ferries could give you an irreplaceable holiday mood. Star Ferry could always give you some sorts of peace, even in that mere several minutes trip. In the voyage to Cheung Chau, the slow vessel is an excellent tranquilizer. Sitting in the open cabin, situated in the rear of the ship, the decker allowed you to feel the breeze, smell the salt and touch the sticky air. When we were on our way back to Central, under the comfortable pace, Cheung Chau first lingered around. Below the shining new moon, Cheung Chau gradually contracted as a barely visible point. Enchanted in the intoxicating ambience, suddenly, we found ourselves were embraced by the twinkling hoardings along the parallel sides of the Victoria Harbour.
N shared a little joke on the return trip. When she visited Thailand some 10 years ago, one of the spots was Pattaya which a super rocky boat trip was involved. Landed, all the comrades vomited, except two groups of people - - - one from Cheung Chau and the other from Yuen Long. They were used to the tumbling lives!
2009年9月26日 星期六
寧靜的早晨 - 20090926
昨夜沈睡，至十時起，把一周累積下來的「眠債」掃清，精神奕奕。打開房門，發現只剩我一人在家，心情輕鬆愉快。
肚子有點餓，把過期兩天的即食麵解決。講究的我，不會只滿足於味精湯包。打開冰箱，取出三隻連頭殼大蝦乾、一撮江魚仔，下水煮沸。上湯已成，下麵及「師父」，最後加媽媽老細「排骨」秘制辣椒油點綴，一頓美味早餐大功告成。麵有點淋，但湯鮮配料正，加上辣椒油的刺激，最後連湯也幹掉！
吃飽，見地板有點髒，於是幫它做 facial。先吸塵後拖地，看見水桶的水，嘩，這麼黑．．．也沒辦法，媽媽每天要忙的事也太多了。幸好只有我一人在，煥然一新的地板可免受污染．．．一會兒吧。說時遲那時快，正當洗澡時，「糟老頭」已回來了。
寧靜真是寶貴。在一周的工作後，飽受摧殘的身心能夠得到滋養 - - - 眠一個甜夜、做一頓早餐、作少許家務，舊電池又叉滿了。
肚子有點餓，把過期兩天的即食麵解決。講究的我，不會只滿足於味精湯包。打開冰箱，取出三隻連頭殼大蝦乾、一撮江魚仔，下水煮沸。上湯已成，下麵及「師父」，最後加媽媽老細「排骨」秘制辣椒油點綴，一頓美味早餐大功告成。麵有點淋，但湯鮮配料正，加上辣椒油的刺激，最後連湯也幹掉！
吃飽，見地板有點髒，於是幫它做 facial。先吸塵後拖地，看見水桶的水，嘩，這麼黑．．．也沒辦法，媽媽每天要忙的事也太多了。幸好只有我一人在，煥然一新的地板可免受污染．．．一會兒吧。說時遲那時快，正當洗澡時，「糟老頭」已回來了。
寧靜真是寶貴。在一周的工作後，飽受摧殘的身心能夠得到滋養 - - - 眠一個甜夜、做一頓早餐、作少許家務，舊電池又叉滿了。
2009年9月25日 星期五
William Somerset Maugham - 20090925
Similar to most of the ordinary Hong Kongers, I got acquaintance to Maugham, together with Maupassant, from the extract of 《驀然回首》by 白先勇, when I was in secondary school. However, not being interested in novel then, especially the English ones, I have not had a glance on Maugham's work. It would rather be lucky to me. As if I had done so, my time would have just been wasted, since no youngsters would click on it. The tone of Maugham's books seem flat and boring.
I guessed 董橋's articles ignited my interest in Maugham. I first picked up Of Human Bondage some two years ago when my spare time re-emerged after the completion of first year LLB exam. Viewed as a semi-autobiological novel, it unravels the dark side of humanity. Though I was rather discontent to the happy ending, the entanglement of lust and human frailty throughout did amuse me.
According to 白先勇, he learnt the style of "disinterest analysis" from Maugham. I cannot agree more. The judgment could be exemplified from Maugham's short stories. Like, The Lotus Eater, the main character, Thomas Wilson, who quited his job at 30's and moved to Capri, with nothing to work on, just "hea" around. This normally-treat-as-parasite, lived a life we ordinary people just dream of but not dare to, was coolly dismantled by Maugham without any overt sentiment shown.
The Moon and Sixpence is another good example. Based on the life of artist Paul Gauguin, Maugham again, applying his skill acquired from medical training in writing the novel, acted as a surgeon, anatomizing the main character Charles Strickland. The callousness of Strickland was optimized by Maugham's cold-bloodiness. The genius's nonchalance to proletariat's banality recalled a friend of mine. However, the most beautiful thing is, we should be reminded the concept of value, say a LV bag worths the moon to you, but less than sixpence to me. So, stick to yourself and don't bother others.
Maugham is surely one of my favourite writers. Through his English snobbish strokes, the idiosyncrasy of all the trivial minnows shines. Self-claimed as a writer "in the very first row of the second-raters", to me, his works bring so much more fun than those first-raters.
I guessed 董橋's articles ignited my interest in Maugham. I first picked up Of Human Bondage some two years ago when my spare time re-emerged after the completion of first year LLB exam. Viewed as a semi-autobiological novel, it unravels the dark side of humanity. Though I was rather discontent to the happy ending, the entanglement of lust and human frailty throughout did amuse me.
According to 白先勇, he learnt the style of "disinterest analysis" from Maugham. I cannot agree more. The judgment could be exemplified from Maugham's short stories. Like, The Lotus Eater, the main character, Thomas Wilson, who quited his job at 30's and moved to Capri, with nothing to work on, just "hea" around. This normally-treat-as-parasite, lived a life we ordinary people just dream of but not dare to, was coolly dismantled by Maugham without any overt sentiment shown.
The Moon and Sixpence is another good example. Based on the life of artist Paul Gauguin, Maugham again, applying his skill acquired from medical training in writing the novel, acted as a surgeon, anatomizing the main character Charles Strickland. The callousness of Strickland was optimized by Maugham's cold-bloodiness. The genius's nonchalance to proletariat's banality recalled a friend of mine. However, the most beautiful thing is, we should be reminded the concept of value, say a LV bag worths the moon to you, but less than sixpence to me. So, stick to yourself and don't bother others.
Maugham is surely one of my favourite writers. Through his English snobbish strokes, the idiosyncrasy of all the trivial minnows shines. Self-claimed as a writer "in the very first row of the second-raters", to me, his works bring so much more fun than those first-raters.
2009年9月24日 星期四
健談？多咀！ - 20090924
大千世界，人種紛陳。在眾多厭惡性人格當中，多咀屬於小害 - - - 令人煩厭卻未至於罪大惡極。但是，當有些人，誤把多咀作健談，便罪加一等了。
多咀通常是小朋友的專利。在好奇心及口腔期未有適當排解的雙重影響下，小朋友經常吱喳不停。「呢d咩黎架？」「鍾意呀，吹呀？」. . . 諸如此類的嘈音，是父母們的天籟，卻是閒人們的電鑽鎚仔聲。當然，一個正常的成年人，明白小朋友多咀就猶如林瑞麟的催眠，是個不能避免，但又無害的惡作劇，不會和他們計較。
但是，當一個連大學也畢業了的成年人還經常咀gel gel，便是罪行了。 「嘩，禽日詐病去見工呀？」「依，你同阿戊一齊annual leave，行埋呀？」這些話，只能是心底話，絕不能是家常閒話。當你無聊，或以為別人不作聲便一樣無聊時；自以為健談的你，試圖以禁忌打開話匣子，結果只會「及著脷」。輕則一句「關你乜事？」；嚴重的，可能換來兜口兜面「講乜撚野呀你？」。而我，會選擇不望多咀仔女，輕蔑一笑便是。
其實，口腔肌肉，不比心臟肌肉，是隨意肌，即是，它的活動是大腦能控制的。所以，見到多咀仔女鳩嗡，你應該同情他。因為，他要不是沒有大腦，不能控制口腔肌肉；便是口腔肌肉異常，不是隨意肌了。
多咀通常是小朋友的專利。在好奇心及口腔期未有適當排解的雙重影響下，小朋友經常吱喳不停。「呢d咩黎架？」「鍾意呀，吹呀？」. . . 諸如此類的嘈音，是父母們的天籟，卻是閒人們的電鑽鎚仔聲。當然，一個正常的成年人，明白小朋友多咀就猶如林瑞麟的催眠，是個不能避免，但又無害的惡作劇，不會和他們計較。
但是，當一個連大學也畢業了的成年人還經常咀gel gel，便是罪行了。 「嘩，禽日詐病去見工呀？」「依，你同阿戊一齊annual leave，行埋呀？」這些話，只能是心底話，絕不能是家常閒話。當你無聊，或以為別人不作聲便一樣無聊時；自以為健談的你，試圖以禁忌打開話匣子，結果只會「及著脷」。輕則一句「關你乜事？」；嚴重的，可能換來兜口兜面「講乜撚野呀你？」。而我，會選擇不望多咀仔女，輕蔑一笑便是。
其實，口腔肌肉，不比心臟肌肉，是隨意肌，即是，它的活動是大腦能控制的。所以，見到多咀仔女鳩嗡，你應該同情他。因為，他要不是沒有大腦，不能控制口腔肌肉；便是口腔肌肉異常，不是隨意肌了。
2009年9月23日 星期三
Timidity - 20090923
I could hardly believe that, by asking for a small change of the office shift, from 9am - 5:45pm, to 8:45am - 5:30pm, for a mere single day, your supervisor could not approve it, and told you to solicit her supervisor's agreement. What a dreadful experience it involved for that tiny 15 minutes swop.
If there is a worldwide competition on "Timidity", Hong Kong should be a serious contender for the crown. Originated from a paternal root, Chinese is a docile people. Only yesman could climb up the ladder in the concrete wood. If you dare say no to boss, in ancient time, it usually led to lynch and death was not an uncommon result. In modern time, the penalty would be much less severe, but your luck would surely be exhausted in the workplace.
Thus, timidity is the by-product. To ensure oneself safe, everybody would shrewdly be dumb when boss is presence. We know it too well when boss is asking for opinion, they are expecting nothing but encore. Indeed, everybody has their own smartest view. However, it would only be articulated to the unrelated pedestrians. And we are too afraid of carrying the wok!
At the end of the day, it would simply be unrealistic for sheep to make judgment.
2009年9月22日 星期二
手帕 - 20090922
除了自己，沒有看見男性友人用手帕；就是女性朋友，也沒幾個用它。
小時候沒有用手帕的習慣，因為紙巾更方便企理。反而，到廿歲出頭，便開始用起手帕來。環保可能是一個小小的原因；更重要的是，現在紙巾的質素普遍糟糕。便利店貨色是「黃腫腳不消提」；就是Tempo，在廣告中花言巧語吹噓製品如何堅韌，結果濕了一樣爛化開。所以，大汗的我惟有懷舊起來用手帕了。
算起來，衣櫃裡也有廿條手帕。初時多數在吉之島十蚊店入貨，因為十元便能購得日本製品，實在是價廉物美。及後愛上無印出品。因為，相比十蚊店的，無印的手帕比較大條，抹手擦汗時更得心應手。有時，妹妹旅行也以手帕相贈作手信。
手帕的款式也夠花多眼亂吧。淨色、格仔布和圓點是基本。Fancy的可選擇「以畫入巾」，如扮野可選「星夜」款，雖有糟蹋名畫之嫌。此外，手帕質料應以純綿為佳，吸汗嘛！絲質的還是留給blue blood如王大法官女兒之流。
手帕於我也可說是半個護身符。以之抹拭，於適時為我保持清潔，默默無怨的把穢物吸收。所以，就算沒有時間，我情願把其他衣服丟在一旁，也要把手帕熨好。只要挺直的它躲在我的褲袋，安全感便會油然而生了。
手帕於從前的電視劇是一個神話符號。每當男主角跌傷，女主角便會以手帕為他包紮，之後卿卿我我不贅。其實，這情況根本不可能在香港地發生，就算有，你也覺嘔心吧。我肯定，如果我擦傷了，刀刀第一時間便會以火酒侍候，衛生為本。
小時候沒有用手帕的習慣，因為紙巾更方便企理。反而，到廿歲出頭，便開始用起手帕來。環保可能是一個小小的原因；更重要的是，現在紙巾的質素普遍糟糕。便利店貨色是「黃腫腳不消提」；就是Tempo，在廣告中花言巧語吹噓製品如何堅韌，結果濕了一樣爛化開。所以，大汗的我惟有懷舊起來用手帕了。
算起來，衣櫃裡也有廿條手帕。初時多數在吉之島十蚊店入貨，因為十元便能購得日本製品，實在是價廉物美。及後愛上無印出品。因為，相比十蚊店的，無印的手帕比較大條，抹手擦汗時更得心應手。有時，妹妹旅行也以手帕相贈作手信。
手帕的款式也夠花多眼亂吧。淨色、格仔布和圓點是基本。Fancy的可選擇「以畫入巾」，如扮野可選「星夜」款，雖有糟蹋名畫之嫌。此外，手帕質料應以純綿為佳，吸汗嘛！絲質的還是留給blue blood如王大法官女兒之流。
手帕於我也可說是半個護身符。以之抹拭，於適時為我保持清潔，默默無怨的把穢物吸收。所以，就算沒有時間，我情願把其他衣服丟在一旁，也要把手帕熨好。只要挺直的它躲在我的褲袋，安全感便會油然而生了。
手帕於從前的電視劇是一個神話符號。每當男主角跌傷，女主角便會以手帕為他包紮，之後卿卿我我不贅。其實，這情況根本不可能在香港地發生，就算有，你也覺嘔心吧。我肯定，如果我擦傷了，刀刀第一時間便會以火酒侍候，衛生為本。
2009年9月21日 星期一
The Old Chap - 20090921
Ryan Giggs, who would turn 36 this November, became the spotlight once again, during the Manchester derby.
Most of the people, including myself, have given the verdict that Giggsy's golden period has long gone. It is undoubtedly true. However, he really becomes a smarter player.
Long-hailed for his rocket speed and dazzling dribbling, Giggs was the then Cristiano Ronaldo. Giggs has been ruling the left field of Red Devils for nearly two decades. His solo against the Gunners in the FA cup semi-final, a perennial nightmare to Vieira, should be vividly remembered by every football fans.
Aging is the inevitable fate to living ones, there is no exception to Giggs. With the explosive power drying up in the tank, Giggsy could hardly outplay his rivals by sheer speed. He has been locked in the fiddle for a while. However, the problem seems to have been solved. By dashing to the baseline in a very selectively basis, Giggsy would instead smartly team up with Evra, who could supplement the swiftness in need. In addition, thanks to the vintage experience, Giggsy became a sublime passer, his assist to Owen in yesterday's match against Man City was a good example. Though his quickness may has been dampened by age, Giggs' stamina to a 90 minutes match is not a problem. To me he even seems to have better performance in latter part of games.
With a clean private life, and super discipline to the training scheme, Giggsy is the role model of Old Trafford. The veteran, already a legend, provided that he could be free of injuries, would still be the attacking muse of Red Devils in the coming two years.
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