世博 - 20100430

無線是夜直播世博開幕式，《飛女正傳》暫停一晚。

無所謂吧，都是一般無謂的節目。問題是，又看到不知所謂的中文 - - - 「開幕式」，及不知所云的世博。

究竟世博是做甚麼鬼的呢？普通人的印象是：多國展覽館、中國館涉嫌抄襲、試展安排混亂等等。但是，世博的目的為何，中國搞世博有啥得著？

引自官方網址，世博簡介摘錄如下：

The World Expo is a large-scale, global, non-commercial Expo. The hosting of the World Expo must be applied for by a country and approved by the international World Expo committee. Expo aims to promote the exchange of ideas and development of the world economy, culture, science and technology, to allow exhibitors to publicise and display their achievements and improve international relationships. Accordingly, the World Expo with its 150-year history is regarded as the Olympic Games of the economy, science and technology.

簡言之，燒銀紙演國力矣。只是，我國雖則財大氣粗，但說到「意念」、「文化」、「科技」，通通都是我們的死穴。就是展館，也涉嫌抄襲，你還能期望內裏軟件有幾精彩？

是夜開幕式，定必大放煙花。尤如煙花，世博也只會帶給我們耀眼但短暫的快感。

Jose Mourinho - 20100429

Down to 10 men in the midway of first half, Inter Milan miraculously eked out a 1-0 loss in Nou Camp, defeated Barcelona 3-2 in aggregation and is now in the final of UEFA Champions League. Standing between the trophy and Inter, there is only the reigning German champion, Bayern Munich.

One just could not praise Mourinho without curse. As a football fan, Mourinho's team always play in dull and safe fashion, as a great contrast to Barca's wonder-football. Everybody knows Chelsea was by then an expert of 1-0 winner. However, this handsome jerk never let you down in any press conference.

Taking the one just held in Spain as an example. Mourinho said it was the best loss in his life. He continued that his boys sweated blood in the field to fight against Barca. He also urged the fans of Inter to swarm to airport to welcome them home, as well as to Rome to support them for the game against Lazio. I mean, who on earth now have better rhetorics than Mourinho? He could have been a great politician had he not been a football manager.

Nevermind how boring Mourinho's side perform, he is an undisputed tactician. Though discipline is one of the cliche everybody knows, Mourinho is a real know how of it. You can see it from Mourinho's appearance, there is no extra ounce of fat on his body. As through his team. Against Barca, the true king of football, Inter should be prima facie a class lower than them. We could see it from the possession of ball, around 70% by Barca and the remaining 30% for Inter. Still, Mourinho has the magic to cohere his boys, to stick in the backyard and conduct counter-attack effectively.

After 38 years, Inter is again one step away to be the European Champion. To me, there is no way the Dutch on the German side could outwit this cunning Portuguese.

Fundraising - 20100427

Yesterday, Hong Kong artists arranged a function to raise fund for victims of earthquake in Qinghai province. Over $30 millions was donated among Hong Kongers.

Though the goodwill from our people should not be doubted, the quality of the show was despicable.

It was so regrettable to hear the name of Wong Fuk Wing for so many times throughout the function. Wong was a truly admirable person, regarding his unselfish contribution to the mainland poverty. However, the show should never be deflected as a kind of worship to Wong. According to the press, Wong was a low profile person who did not like to be praised outwardly. By doing so, people only shown their naivety and hypocrisy. Would parents let Wong be their children's role model? That means children have to sacrifice jobs and schooling for volunteering. I assume that most of us are just ordinary people.

The rundown sucked, too. Apart from singing, there was virtually no other performance. It is understandable that given the tight timeframe of the event, time for rehearsal would be scarce. Nevertheless, it was still a proof of the dwindling of artists. For example, why can't there be magic show, drama, opera etc. Back to the singing itself, most of the songs were astonishingly bad. Those soap opera artists' voices were havoc to audiences.

The situation could change one day, if the show "Hong Kong's Got Talents" is to be run, hopefully.

艋舺 - 20100426

上週末看了《艋舺》，頗好看。

片長超過兩小時，正場票價比普通影片貴，要$70；而早場，十一時二十五分開影，只須$40。當選早場，看完吃午飯，時間剛好。

陳可辛讚賞阮經天在《艋舺》的演出「非常驚人」，有如一顆巨星，媲美《教父》裏的阿爾柏仙奴。這麼誇張，當引起入場看戲的念頭。

其實，片中演員大都十分出色，如真正男主角趙又廷。另外，扮黑社會大佬的馬如龍亦揮灑自如。戴頂浴帽扮大廚，搞笑；在廟內被眾人追殺的長鏡頭，精彩。不過，還是小天的角色「和尚」令人眼前一亮。感染力可能是其中原因。如果任達華能靠《歲月神偷》拿香港金像獎，小天應該可奪康城影帝。

電影票房大收，是計算精確，男女通殺。和尚對志龍的同性愛，顯而易見。由代行膠水私刑，不去召妓，頂Geta的老拳，到最後不忍心殺他，痕跡斑斑。不知小天的女粉絲們知道後會否抗議？

看完戲，到Factory 99吃午飯。餐廳座落APM旁的工廈內，思疑前身是飯堂。裝潢亮麗，星期六下午人流不多，可舒適地吃一頓午飯。豬扒飯美味，埋單兩位才$90，想今天到和民吃也不止此數，更覺超值。

Honour Among Thieves - 20100423

Keep flipping Honour Among Thieves, page after page, and should be finished by today.

Jeffrey Archer is a maestro of story telling. Take Honour Among Thieves as and example, Archer put all the prevailing characters by then in the plot. Saddam, Clinton, Rabin etc. Though sort of faded out while read today, the tension among the rivalries is still hovering.

It just could not help oneself to praise Archer's imagination. By using the Declaration of Independence as the central piece of document for competition, parties located in both ends of the spectrum are involved. Groups of different interests weaved together, and a complex web of connection was formed. Bill, the master of counterfeit, helped Mafia to craft the fake Declaration of Independence. Later, by relying on the expertise of Bill, the US government sought another fake copy from Bill for the recovery of the genuine one. So, anybody's value is situationally dependence. Ethnics is something to speak than practice.

With many other details professionally added in the story, reading Archer's work is amusing. Is the word "British" misspelled as "Brittish"? Would Mossad, the intelligence agency of Israel, works without US's acknowledgement?

Anyway, fictions of this sort are good for time killing.

廿四蚊 - 20100421

有時，也不得不佩服報紙的威力。

當張宇人提議最低工時為廿圓時，經傳媒一輪渲染，他得到「廿蚊張」的惡名。那些正義之士，當然挺身而出，鞭撻張宇人無恥。

可是，無恥在那呢？張議員是立法會飲食界的代表。飲食界的工作人員，可包括洗碗阿姐，可包括學徒。試想想，廿蚊一個鐘，對他們真的很不公道嗎？尤其是學師仔，返工目的，主要是學野，累積經驗，人工應是其次。

如果設立最低工資，也只是迫原本不值最低工資的人失業。又或者，洗碗阿姐們通通變為自僱人士，自負盈虧，繞過最低工資的門檻。

張宇人也真蠢到死。已經得到「廿蚊張」惡名，還出來說甚麼廿四蚊，只是給正義之士另一機會插多幾刀。他不是以為廿四蚊已比廿蚊多二十巴仙，人們會寬恕他吧？

張議員不記得，正義之士信口雌黃最低工資少說也要三十圓。

Trip to Penang and Singapore - 20100420

From 15/4 to 18/4, we went to Penang and Singapore for a short vacation. The trip was a nice one, and we ate a lot under the blazing sun.

15/4 - Penang
We flew to Penang via Singapore. At 5pm, we got our feet touched the ground of Penang. Taxi was taken to our hotel, City Bayview. The taxi driver, a rather talkative one, told us something about Penang. He talked in fluent Cantonese, which he claimed to be learnt from HK soap operas. After a 30-minute ride, we arrived in our hotel. The hotel room was large but barren, with commodities so fundamental for me to eke out my days. A pair of reusable slippers was provided in a room with twin beds, no facial towel and toothbrush etc. We went for dinner in the famous bazaar 新關仔閣. The food was not as good as expected, but still many different local stuff could be tasted.

16/4 - Penang
We stayed in Georgetown of Penang. As a certain kind of "flaneur", we sauntered around without a definite purpose. Normally, most of the colonies would remove its Occidental traits after independence. However, Georgetown was kept in good old shape, no matter by intention or laziness. The temperature was so high, we had to rest in those cafes frequently. Iced coffee was good. The local drinks like 龍眼水 and 羅漢果水 could also quench thirst efficiently. We walked pass the city hall of Penang, which an old man said was the "White House" of Penang. He was right, it indeed reminded that feeling. The old man, another enthusiastic one, offered us free tour around. However, owing to skepticism, we kindly rejected his good will. 粿條 was our lunch. Both the soup and the stuff were very nice. After that, we went to Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) for tea. As a fan of Maugham, I insisted to visit E&O, in order to have a smell of the colonial surroundings, albeit heavy shower at that moment. The hotel was a real knockout, as its atmosphere was classic. The afternoon tea was tasteful, especially that aromatic pot of Earl Grey. At night, we had dinner in a large seafood restoran. The price was as expensive as Hong Kong but the quality was sadly not.

17/4 - Penang and Singapore
We kicked off our day in the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. The tour was conducted by a middle-age local lady, with a fluent tongue of English. The Mansion, with the blue facade, was acquired to be saved by some local businessmen. However, its mode of preservation would not be without argument, in the Western eyes. Before acquisition, the house was so dilapidated that some of the items had been replaced by new stuff, say those stained glasses. Nonetheless, it was already by far better than Hong Kong. We love to demolish things. We had a nice lunch of 海南雞飯 in a shop not appeared in the guide. The soup was particular impressive as it was clear and tasty. Before departure, we went to a shopping mall in Penang. The mall was just a reminiscent to any Hong Kong's.

We arrived in Singapore at 7pm. MRT was the chosen means to our hotel, another Bayview. In front of the ticket vending machine, a Singaporean zealously helped us to choose the right train circuit, which was by chance opened on that day. That man, accomplished us to our destination, as he claimed that he was on the same way too. Upon check-in, I confirmed with the receptionists that the circuit was opened on 17/4. At night, we had a quick look in a mall for those "Graniph" T-shirts. Subsequently, we dined in a shop specialized in duck. The duck was yummy.

18/4 - Singapore
We walked aimlessly around the city. We came across Chinatown, and then went to have lunch of 肉骨茶, which tasted fantastic. The soup of white pepper ignited our appetite in the sultry afternoon. We sauntered along the Singapore River. Separating the Fullerton and the Legislature, it provided excellent scenes at both ends. Those historic architectures of Legislature, Supreme Court and the City Hall were ideal spots for sightseeing. We then had another meal of 海南雞飯 at the famous 逸群. However, its fame overshadowed its taste. We reached Changi Airport at 5pm. The airport, comprising old and new wing, was quite something. With all the trendy stores, numerous internet spots, video game sites as well as sundry sport channels, visitors would not be bored, even if they are trapped inside involuntarily, say owing to volcanic eruption.

This short vacation was really a lovely one.

失言 - 20100413

話說，某男高層於公司內部交流會對低級同事稱，敝司是他服務過的機構裏最少辦公室政治的地方，同事相處和諧云云。

與會者中，就是年紀最小的同事，散會後也急不及待的跟我分享上述笑話。現實是，那些會在任何正常機構裏出現的擦鞋仔，不能幸免地，也三五成群的在我左右。

難道男高層「擘大眼講大話」？未必。同情地理解，他現在位高權重，當然不需要四處拋眉眼，這正是「人到無求品自高」。相反，碰到他的同事，幾乎所有都比他低級，不對他笑口噬噬才怪呢？當以前人微言輕，停不了的跟其他同事爭位，他自然領教過辦公室政治。只是，高層可能在舒適的大班椅坐久了，連個腦也坐實了不成？

其實，那些公司內部交流會的目的，早已被嚴重扭曲，尤其在香港地。為了表現公司「開明」的一面，交流會不可或缺。可是，表面上是百川匯河，實則上當然是一言堂。高層們做show也只是為了完成action plan內communication session一欄，別無其他。而且，誰不怕被秋後算帳？最可惡的是，如高層明知其他人不敢反抗，便企圖強姦民意，例如當說到甚麼此地最少辦公室政治時，如大家不作聲，便作默許觀。

這樣，便最陰險了。

Busking - 20100412

Two pieces of local news related to busking, that is, performing in the public places for either tips or gratitude, appeared in Sunday Morning Post and Apple Daily respectively. Kung Chi Shing reflected on Sunday Morning Post that his officially approved show was complained by residents on its "noisiness". And So Chun, aka Mr Funny, was fetched a police summon regarding his "dangerous performance" in Causeway Bay, according to Apple Daily.

It just represented the working mechanism of our civil service. They are so scared of complaints. The prevailing culture is "complaint without a cause", everybody could vent their anger by submitting anonymous letters to media. To avoid writing incalculable amount of reports on tackling those complaints, civil service is more "customer-oriented" nowadays. Thus, in the above cases of busking, once any grumbling from the public is heard, police would undoubtedly prefer harmony to art.

Actually, it also shown the quality of our society as a whole. Tolerance is always one of the main components in a democratic society. If we accept the fact that people have diverge tastes, we should also understand that honey to A would be poison to B. However, if the limit is not crossed, why can't we put up with the transient nuisance?

However, we Hong Kongers just abuse the right of complaints we have.

Funny Propaganda - 20100408/ 和諧社會 - 20100409

The mysteriously disappeared Chinese human rights lawyer 高智晟 (Gao), re-emerged recently and was interviewed by Associated Press today. During the interview, Gao said family affiliation was of utmost importance to him. Gao refused to discuss his suspected "detained life".

The interview must have been approved by the State. Otherwise, Gao would be prima facie liable to subversion, once again.

However, the effect of the interview is ambiguous. There are so many angles to chip in the event. Undoubtedly, Gao's release is a good news to most of the people. Nevertheless, most of the outsiders would treat Gao's freedom as a kind of exchange between US and China, especially in the time that the urge for inflating Renminbi is so strong.

To normal people, the interview is an absurd one. It highlighted the authoritativeness of the State and the fragility of individual. Though the State confidence is boosting, thanks to the thriving economy. The Benevolent Dictator is anyway a dictator.

After all, the cause of Gao's lost is inscrutable.

* * *

某一調查有驚人報告，證實香港不是和諧社會。

哈哈。傻蛋才信這些調查。首先，「和諧」一詞的詞義實在虛無縹緲。有人視統一為「和諧」，亦有人能從對立衝突中見「和諧」。另外，「和諧」是感觀性的形容詞，例如調查指，有四分一受訪者認同用「激烈手法」向政府表達不滿。

對一般香港市民而言，那些「激烈手法」是甚麼？大概是掟蕉、肢體碰撞、或集會吧。其實，激烈個屁。如果調查將「激烈手法」定義為打鬥或摘手榴彈之時，我深信到時候不會有一巴仙香港人認同。

假設，這調查是在大陸進行，我估計報告結果一定很和諧。但是，那種和諧是我們喜歡的嗎？

再者，那裏有對立，那裏不和諧，這是先驗的。問甚麼鬼貧富懸殊，那個會不稱是？貧富是相對的，除非踏上共產死路，人人齊一；否則，貧富懸殊與否，問來多餘。這些問題先天地是引導性及挑釁的。

不和諧，證明香港開始百花齊放，大家開始有不同意見，真是叫人欣慰。

復活節假期 - 20100407

一連五天的復活節假期就這樣完結了，無聲無色地。

四月二日，天陰，早上開始下雨，迄下午，雨沒有停下之勢，遂跳繩代跑步。以單腳跳及雙腳跳輪流替換，跳了千七下左右。跳畢，以為沒大不了；下午四、五時，雨竟停下，吹脹。晚上，在久違了的「基圍」用膳，縱使沒喝啤酒，菜美味如昔，飯米香四溢。

四月三日，天陰，沒有下雨。噏跳繩後遺症浮現，小腿劇痛，膊頭亦然。絕對不能跑步，以步行代之。由上水，沿大窩西支路行至林村，再順著林錦公路行到錦田，為時三個半小時，然後在錦田乘小巴回上水。初次步行林錦公路，見行人路甚窄，至嘉道理農場段上下坡幅大，車輛來往亦頻，跑步似不適宜。儘管如此，意外途經菜園村，也算收穫。

四月四日，多雲。到「萬麗海景」吃自助午餐。在此吃自助晚餐多次，未嘗失望。可能是晚餐太抵，是次午餐不甚了了。二百元樓下一位，沒有海鮮是意料中事，但連燒牛肉和肋骨也欠奉便有點奇怪。晚上，到西貢encore海鮮，像是比上次更好吃，不錯。

四月五日，多雲。在深水埗新香園吃蛋牛治瘦肉米，好味依然；行到旺角，口喝，買一杯近期迷上了的玄米抹茶紅豆。「貢茶」出品，玄米香脆，抹茶清淡，紅豆香甜，實是一杯妙品。惟輪候人龍愈來愈長，只怕有時想飲卻懶排隊。後如常行「無印」、「uniqlo」，最後終於以超抵的$399買了那配銀鈕的黑色blazer，一止數年之癢。

四月六日，多雲。午餐在紅磡吃巴蜀魚湯米線，一般。又飲玄米抹茶紅豆，一樣可口。本計劃看O的化妝，惜遲了，也罷。

五天長假便如此這般消弭了，也不差。只是，小腿和膊頭仍隱隱痠痛。

Company - 20100401

A colleague, G, said she had a not-so-happy trip in Taiwan, together with three other female friends. G described some of the typical characteristics of the troublesome "Kong Nui" throughout the conversation.

Though the four ladies are friends, some of them could not bear any occasion to suffer. It is so predictable that not every single item in the trip would be one's cup of tea. Being a mature person, especially among friends, we should well understand the art of give and take. However, "Kong Nui" always treats themselves as sun, and other friends are just the surrounding planets. One of the ladies, I suppose who is fitter, requested to walk in the frequency so high that the other three could not follow. According to simple majority, the four should rest at some points, but the opinionated one did not allow to.

Punctuality was another problem. While telecommunication is virtually unavailable abroad, if the group is disbanded for free walk, timing of reunion should be accurate. G said her friends did not follow the agreed time to meet, most of them appeared belatedly and the atmosphere of the trip was thus ambivalence. It was quite selfish and disgusting for individual to ignore the collective agreement.

As such, I would say I was quite lucky to have a joyful trip with my friends in Taiwan last summer. Happiness is simply not a must.