Every office is busy on holding Christmas Party.
As a reasonable participant, you do not expect for anything more than food and drink. Some lucky guys would get prizes, they are nevertheless the minority. No matter the privileged ones or the rest, they tend to have the same afterthought. Complain. All the people would have the united comment on the lousy food. The one who gets the gift would jeer at its uselessness. Anyway, who is short of hand cream?
Christmas is now such a universal festival that even pagans are so fond of. We like exchanging gifts with friends. We like devouring sumptuous food with beloved ones. Gain seems to be destined. However, even the Pope reminded us that, there are many things beyond "consumerism" in the Yuletide.
What is the main theme of Christmas? While we are skimming those electronic Christmas cards, it would be nice to have a second thought on the word "grace" before we delete them. Take Christmas party as an example. Not to mention how routine it is, some people must be there to make it happen. Most of them are assigned, they have their own business to take care of. So, it would be gracious to appreciate what they have done, on top of the mundane stuff that all of us have to deal with.
Or the complainants just stand out and arrange a wonderful party for us next time, no?
2011年12月28日 星期三
2011年12月21日 星期三
台中遊 - 20111219
十二月十日至十三日，一行六人，到台中旅遊四天。天氣先苦後甜，好壞參半。出奇地，整個旅程也算愉快。
十二月十日(星期六) - 清涼、微雨
由香港乘長榮航空飛機先抵台北，再轉搭接駁巴士到台中。上午十時起飛，下午兩時三十分到。何不直飛台中？緣因航班疏落，時間不佳也。
到酒店check-in。雖是剛翻新，看看格局，便知此酒店的正業是「爆房專用」。房間小，雙人床更小；沒有衣櫃，只有掛鉤數棵，另送安全套一個。也罷，至少肉眼看也算乾淨。到街上胡亂吃了碗牛肉麵，再隨便吃些甜點，然後依照我們「導遊」的指示，到彩虹村一遊。是次行程，由R一手策劃，固戲謔之「導遊」。彩虹村很細，只有寥落數戶。屋子牆身、行人道滿佈繪畫。畫技雖稚嫩，有點似曾灶財墨寶，難保不登龍門。搞這麼多花臣，彩虹村可以成功保留了，不似對岸菜園村。
後到逢甲夜市。有一小插曲。話說，我們從彩虹村走出來，想乘巴士往夜市。豈料附近交通疏落，不見巴士站。後到便利店，誤打誤撞下得知，原來便利店有電召的士服務，也是幸運。到逢甲夜市，真體驗到「遊人如鯽」之況。可幸天氣涼，否則大熱天時，濕肩不斷的摩擦著臭汗，剎是嘔心。買的東西老土；小吃雖多，沒留下深刻印象。夜市還是師大的好。
之後到「春水堂」飲珍珠奶茶。此店號稱珍珠奶茶鼻祖。食品可以，店子裝修靚。那些實木中式傢俱，佈滿三層樓，本也。
十二月十一日(星期日) - 凍、雨
早上，到「爆房酒店」附近小店吃過普通早餐後，乘的士到清境。Check-out時，看到賓藉男女鬼祟check-in三小時，那麼早便要？一路上，下著微雨，也有少許擔憂。山路是否崎嶇？也是可以。
山上有不少酒店。都是一些模仿歐洲建築的屋子，就算再漂亮，造價再高昂，也只是「世界之窗」，沒有靈魂。例如有一間叫「老英格蘭」的，側聞建築費上十億台幣。我們嘗試到那裏吃下午茶，可是服務時間已過。服務生態度一流，儘管我們不能幫襯，還熱心的為我們召車。從門外看，裝潢華麗，氣派非凡。可惜，「世界之窗」就是「世界之窗」。
整天下著雨，天色欠晴。所以，清境之美，也只能夠想像。我們到過一間紙品主題店；「小瑞士花園」則過其門而不入。在附近的小廣場，吃過小店的「大腸包小腸」，喝過7-11的綠茶latte，都美味。尤其後者，為何香港的便利店沒有類似東西呢？小廣場內，有二個賽德克族人作音樂表演，玩結他的技藝極嫻熟，玩鼓的低調。每完一曲，拍掌者小貓三兩，大家忙購物吧？後到「青青農場」，雨不斷洒，地斜路滑，除了見到一堆堆的羊及一顆顆圓粒羊糞外，乏善可陳。
因「老英格蘭」關門，輾轉間，我們返回酒店附近的小店吃午餐，時間已近五時。普通小吃，但肌腸轆轆，濕濕凍凍，暖燙腸胃便好。
晚上往浸溫泉。濕寒了一整天後，泡一個熱騰騰的浴，最是舒暢。吃一頓便飯，回酒店休息。此酒店是一間小木屋，我們一行六人，攤分三張睡床，共臥一室，突兀在所難免。不過，眼皮沉重，就算鄰床鼻鼾大作，影響也有限。
十二月十二日(星期一) - 暖、時晴時雨
早上在酒店吃一般早餐。「導遊」訂了車，到埔里及日月潭遊玩。
司機姓林，是一個五十多歲的男子。他著我們喚他叔叔。林叔叔非常健談好玩。除了在車上為我們介紹不同景點外，林叔叔還訴說自己的身世，及調侃自己老婆。林叔叔是嘉義人，當兵三年，是陸軍特種步隊成員。退役後，到台中打工，在百貨公司化妝專櫃邂逅林太。林叔叔非常著重整潔。一身西裝背心，結緊領帶，一絲不苟。下山路段泥濘滿佈，下山後，林叔叔立即到加油站沖洗車子。可以看到，軍紀一直影響著林叔叔。
「導遊」安排我們先到一巧克力店參觀。抵店前，林叔叔叮囑我們不要買太多東西，因為價錢不低。都依他的，我只喝了一杯免費咖啡。稍後，到埔里酒廠參觀。酒廠歷史悠久，由日治時期，經過戒嚴國營階段，走到現在面向市場競爭，艱難也。在酒廠的展覽館內，看到人手填寫的記事本，字體工整有力，非我輩電腦輸入者可比。
林叔叔領我們到附近一地道餐廳吃午餐。那些魯肉飯、米粉、菊花肉……真是古早美味！這店光顧的都是本地人，食物價錢平到笑。再想想香港的客導遊，甚麼阿珍，唉。
午膳畢，到日月潭。天氣轉好，既暖且有日照。日月潭真漂亮。四周山巒高低起伏，崇山峻嶺披掛著一襲白色輕紗，份外瀟洒。潭中央有一小島，面積因地震愈變愈小，下次到訪，未知能否復見？
買船票四處遊玩。到玄光寺。大陸遊客極多。他們登陸台灣後，就是要圍堵她。在佛門清靜地，一般插隊的、喧嘩的，比比皆是。有一刁民，手指夾煙，濃痰張口便往地吐，討厭極了。回到登船起點，上廁所，發現尿兜上方有不同的箴言，黑格爾的、尼采的，任君選擇。於我等忙到「屙尿都唔得閒」的香港人來說，台灣人的文藝腔及閒情逸緻實在匪夷所思。
回台中吃馳名的「鼎王」火鍋。途中見到兩所不同門派的便利店均掛著販賣「開運年菜」的標語，問林叔叔，和我們的盆菜是否一般東西。林叔叔說，年尾時，家家戶戶收爐了便訂年菜吃。兩岸形式不同，精神可一樣。抵店，裝潢比「春水堂」更有型。那超高的樓底不是香港的店可比擬。門口那些流水燈，簡約的現代主義裝飾，還有那個精緻的銅鍋 . . . 一切乾淨亮麗。東西頗好吃，最出色是那些餚湯的鴨血及酸菜。把白飯泡在麻辣湯裏，洒下大把蔥花，直是極品。值得一提是，此店的尿兜內有一堆乾冰，不解。
是夜，終於可於一舒適寬敞的酒店休息一晚。
十二月十三日(星期二) - 暖、陰
在酒店吃過豐富早餐後，往買手信。先到甲店買太陽餅，不便宜也。臨回酒店，在附近的乙店補購鳳梨酥及太陽餅，價錢平多了。乘的士往大巴站，胖胖的司機看到乙店的膠袋，偷笑幾下，然後徐徐的告訴我們，「太陽堂」雖則多如雨後春筍，正宗的只在某處，你們的是A貨。然後便兜生意，著我們下回到台中找他，必有好介紹云云。
也沒所謂吧。台灣有的，最多也是塑化劑，吃了令人膠膠的，總好過強國數不盡的毒物。再者，無論甲店乙店，我的同事都吃得津津有味……
乘大巴回台北。在電視發現，那個常在《天才衝衝衝》出現的小鍾，原來有戲拍，還是男一！哈哈。
回航順暢。肚子餓得把飛機餐內所有東西殺個片甲不留。抵港六時許，還趕上巴士回家，真好。
十二月十日(星期六) - 清涼、微雨
由香港乘長榮航空飛機先抵台北，再轉搭接駁巴士到台中。上午十時起飛，下午兩時三十分到。何不直飛台中？緣因航班疏落，時間不佳也。
到酒店check-in。雖是剛翻新，看看格局，便知此酒店的正業是「爆房專用」。房間小，雙人床更小；沒有衣櫃，只有掛鉤數棵，另送安全套一個。也罷，至少肉眼看也算乾淨。到街上胡亂吃了碗牛肉麵，再隨便吃些甜點，然後依照我們「導遊」的指示，到彩虹村一遊。是次行程，由R一手策劃，固戲謔之「導遊」。彩虹村很細，只有寥落數戶。屋子牆身、行人道滿佈繪畫。畫技雖稚嫩，有點似曾灶財墨寶，難保不登龍門。搞這麼多花臣，彩虹村可以成功保留了，不似對岸菜園村。
後到逢甲夜市。有一小插曲。話說，我們從彩虹村走出來，想乘巴士往夜市。豈料附近交通疏落，不見巴士站。後到便利店，誤打誤撞下得知，原來便利店有電召的士服務，也是幸運。到逢甲夜市，真體驗到「遊人如鯽」之況。可幸天氣涼，否則大熱天時，濕肩不斷的摩擦著臭汗，剎是嘔心。買的東西老土；小吃雖多，沒留下深刻印象。夜市還是師大的好。
之後到「春水堂」飲珍珠奶茶。此店號稱珍珠奶茶鼻祖。食品可以，店子裝修靚。那些實木中式傢俱，佈滿三層樓，本也。
十二月十一日(星期日) - 凍、雨
早上，到「爆房酒店」附近小店吃過普通早餐後，乘的士到清境。Check-out時，看到賓藉男女鬼祟check-in三小時，那麼早便要？一路上，下著微雨，也有少許擔憂。山路是否崎嶇？也是可以。
山上有不少酒店。都是一些模仿歐洲建築的屋子，就算再漂亮，造價再高昂，也只是「世界之窗」，沒有靈魂。例如有一間叫「老英格蘭」的，側聞建築費上十億台幣。我們嘗試到那裏吃下午茶，可是服務時間已過。服務生態度一流，儘管我們不能幫襯，還熱心的為我們召車。從門外看，裝潢華麗，氣派非凡。可惜，「世界之窗」就是「世界之窗」。
整天下著雨，天色欠晴。所以，清境之美，也只能夠想像。我們到過一間紙品主題店；「小瑞士花園」則過其門而不入。在附近的小廣場，吃過小店的「大腸包小腸」，喝過7-11的綠茶latte，都美味。尤其後者，為何香港的便利店沒有類似東西呢？小廣場內，有二個賽德克族人作音樂表演，玩結他的技藝極嫻熟，玩鼓的低調。每完一曲，拍掌者小貓三兩，大家忙購物吧？後到「青青農場」，雨不斷洒，地斜路滑，除了見到一堆堆的羊及一顆顆圓粒羊糞外，乏善可陳。
因「老英格蘭」關門，輾轉間，我們返回酒店附近的小店吃午餐，時間已近五時。普通小吃，但肌腸轆轆，濕濕凍凍，暖燙腸胃便好。
晚上往浸溫泉。濕寒了一整天後，泡一個熱騰騰的浴，最是舒暢。吃一頓便飯，回酒店休息。此酒店是一間小木屋，我們一行六人，攤分三張睡床，共臥一室，突兀在所難免。不過，眼皮沉重，就算鄰床鼻鼾大作，影響也有限。
十二月十二日(星期一) - 暖、時晴時雨
早上在酒店吃一般早餐。「導遊」訂了車，到埔里及日月潭遊玩。
司機姓林，是一個五十多歲的男子。他著我們喚他叔叔。林叔叔非常健談好玩。除了在車上為我們介紹不同景點外，林叔叔還訴說自己的身世，及調侃自己老婆。林叔叔是嘉義人，當兵三年，是陸軍特種步隊成員。退役後，到台中打工，在百貨公司化妝專櫃邂逅林太。林叔叔非常著重整潔。一身西裝背心，結緊領帶，一絲不苟。下山路段泥濘滿佈，下山後，林叔叔立即到加油站沖洗車子。可以看到，軍紀一直影響著林叔叔。
「導遊」安排我們先到一巧克力店參觀。抵店前，林叔叔叮囑我們不要買太多東西，因為價錢不低。都依他的，我只喝了一杯免費咖啡。稍後，到埔里酒廠參觀。酒廠歷史悠久，由日治時期，經過戒嚴國營階段，走到現在面向市場競爭，艱難也。在酒廠的展覽館內，看到人手填寫的記事本，字體工整有力，非我輩電腦輸入者可比。
林叔叔領我們到附近一地道餐廳吃午餐。那些魯肉飯、米粉、菊花肉……真是古早美味！這店光顧的都是本地人，食物價錢平到笑。再想想香港的客導遊，甚麼阿珍，唉。
午膳畢，到日月潭。天氣轉好，既暖且有日照。日月潭真漂亮。四周山巒高低起伏，崇山峻嶺披掛著一襲白色輕紗，份外瀟洒。潭中央有一小島，面積因地震愈變愈小，下次到訪，未知能否復見？
買船票四處遊玩。到玄光寺。大陸遊客極多。他們登陸台灣後，就是要圍堵她。在佛門清靜地，一般插隊的、喧嘩的，比比皆是。有一刁民，手指夾煙，濃痰張口便往地吐，討厭極了。回到登船起點，上廁所，發現尿兜上方有不同的箴言，黑格爾的、尼采的，任君選擇。於我等忙到「屙尿都唔得閒」的香港人來說，台灣人的文藝腔及閒情逸緻實在匪夷所思。
回台中吃馳名的「鼎王」火鍋。途中見到兩所不同門派的便利店均掛著販賣「開運年菜」的標語，問林叔叔，和我們的盆菜是否一般東西。林叔叔說，年尾時，家家戶戶收爐了便訂年菜吃。兩岸形式不同，精神可一樣。抵店，裝潢比「春水堂」更有型。那超高的樓底不是香港的店可比擬。門口那些流水燈，簡約的現代主義裝飾，還有那個精緻的銅鍋 . . . 一切乾淨亮麗。東西頗好吃，最出色是那些餚湯的鴨血及酸菜。把白飯泡在麻辣湯裏，洒下大把蔥花，直是極品。值得一提是，此店的尿兜內有一堆乾冰，不解。
是夜，終於可於一舒適寬敞的酒店休息一晚。
十二月十三日(星期二) - 暖、陰
在酒店吃過豐富早餐後，往買手信。先到甲店買太陽餅，不便宜也。臨回酒店，在附近的乙店補購鳳梨酥及太陽餅，價錢平多了。乘的士往大巴站，胖胖的司機看到乙店的膠袋，偷笑幾下，然後徐徐的告訴我們，「太陽堂」雖則多如雨後春筍，正宗的只在某處，你們的是A貨。然後便兜生意，著我們下回到台中找他，必有好介紹云云。
也沒所謂吧。台灣有的，最多也是塑化劑，吃了令人膠膠的，總好過強國數不盡的毒物。再者，無論甲店乙店，我的同事都吃得津津有味……
乘大巴回台北。在電視發現，那個常在《天才衝衝衝》出現的小鍾，原來有戲拍，還是男一！哈哈。
回航順暢。肚子餓得把飛機餐內所有東西殺個片甲不留。抵港六時許，還趕上巴士回家，真好。
2011年12月8日 星期四
Carnival - 20111208
Being "volunteerized", I helped out in a carnival.
The carnival was a localized one. There was a big stage, together with some game booths, as the whole set up. We could encounter no seducing Samba dancer, absolutely not. Instead, I saw lots of little girls, their mothers and grandmas. It was a lovely function for families. Under the cloudless blue sky, there was no better way to enjoy the warm sunbeam in a cool winter day.
We decorated our booth at 10:30am. Being given a short notice to become volunteers, I, together with several colleagues, made some childish stuff to furnish our cubicle. The backdrop was a reminiscence of any primary school production. Nevertheless, to distinguish our amateurish skill from those children, we invited a colleague to write some calligraphy to embellish our lacklustre product. It helped.
People popped up around noon. The game of our booth, designed by colleagues in another section of our department, was a "ha-ha". To use a fishing rod alike stick, with the end fastened a toy car but bait, player had to lead the car through a simple maze and park it in the right place. Silly enough, I thought. The punishment cast upon me immediately, and continuously. The queue did not dismantle until the last second. I wondered whether my service was that good, or the game was that interesting.
Serving people was a funny way to meet all walks of life. Children were generally lovely, though some did not laugh much. Many people visited our booth repeatedly. Ok, boys and girls love kawaii gadgets, I understand. But, several middle-aged men came and gone and came again, just to get some more pencils and erasers, was quite head-scratching. I maintained smiling, and I was proud of my professionalism.
The event finished smoothly at 5pm. In addition to some time-off, I got some souvenirs which my teammates acquired. Thanks them.
The carnival was a localized one. There was a big stage, together with some game booths, as the whole set up. We could encounter no seducing Samba dancer, absolutely not. Instead, I saw lots of little girls, their mothers and grandmas. It was a lovely function for families. Under the cloudless blue sky, there was no better way to enjoy the warm sunbeam in a cool winter day.
We decorated our booth at 10:30am. Being given a short notice to become volunteers, I, together with several colleagues, made some childish stuff to furnish our cubicle. The backdrop was a reminiscence of any primary school production. Nevertheless, to distinguish our amateurish skill from those children, we invited a colleague to write some calligraphy to embellish our lacklustre product. It helped.
People popped up around noon. The game of our booth, designed by colleagues in another section of our department, was a "ha-ha". To use a fishing rod alike stick, with the end fastened a toy car but bait, player had to lead the car through a simple maze and park it in the right place. Silly enough, I thought. The punishment cast upon me immediately, and continuously. The queue did not dismantle until the last second. I wondered whether my service was that good, or the game was that interesting.
Serving people was a funny way to meet all walks of life. Children were generally lovely, though some did not laugh much. Many people visited our booth repeatedly. Ok, boys and girls love kawaii gadgets, I understand. But, several middle-aged men came and gone and came again, just to get some more pencils and erasers, was quite head-scratching. I maintained smiling, and I was proud of my professionalism.
The event finished smoothly at 5pm. In addition to some time-off, I got some souvenirs which my teammates acquired. Thanks them.
2011年12月1日 星期四
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club - 20111201
Somehow, I got a chance to have a lunch in the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
Most of the Hong Kongers have a fleeting impression to the Club. We vaguely know that it is located near the busy Causeway Bay, as we could see so many yachts anchored around the entrance of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel. Yet virtually nobody would have been there. We are neither their privileged members, nor we are in that class.
To go to the club, you should have your own vehicles, otherwise by taxi. There is a narrow road, just situated next to the packed way through the Kowloon Peninsula, which leads you to the noble place. Once arrived, I wondered whether I was still in Hong Kong, or somewhere else.
The Club is one of the last salutes to Maugham's time. Christmas is coming, everywhere is under decoration. Nevertheless, I have never seen a genuine Christmas tree, at the height of nearly 3-storey, likes the one in the Club's entrance. We are used to those plastic and LED trees. And the outdated wording "Royal", which was firmly held above the gate, has nearly been sanitized in Hong Kong after the changeover. Seeing the old thing, my blood was thickened.
I was placated by the serene atmosphere. In a sunny noon, around the autumn time, sauntering through this colonial place was more relaxing than any Osim stuff. The restaurant was on the 2/F. We walked up a spiral staircases, with all the simple and old sketches and pictures hang on the wall. I suspected some were from Chinnery. Once stepped in the restaurant, the scene was even more breathtaking. The unhindered harbour view was right in front of me. And the structure was smartly-built. It was a circular mansion, so one could view the Victoria harbour as wide as it gets. After all, rich guys get the best stuff.
As it was a business lunch, I did not eat much, even though it was a semi-buffet. Oysters were especially fresh and tasty. However, the portion of the main course could not even satisfy a crying baby's appetite.
After the lunch, my colleague told me that the Club was located in the "Kellett Island", to be exact. I learnt another new thing.
Most of the Hong Kongers have a fleeting impression to the Club. We vaguely know that it is located near the busy Causeway Bay, as we could see so many yachts anchored around the entrance of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel. Yet virtually nobody would have been there. We are neither their privileged members, nor we are in that class.
To go to the club, you should have your own vehicles, otherwise by taxi. There is a narrow road, just situated next to the packed way through the Kowloon Peninsula, which leads you to the noble place. Once arrived, I wondered whether I was still in Hong Kong, or somewhere else.
The Club is one of the last salutes to Maugham's time. Christmas is coming, everywhere is under decoration. Nevertheless, I have never seen a genuine Christmas tree, at the height of nearly 3-storey, likes the one in the Club's entrance. We are used to those plastic and LED trees. And the outdated wording "Royal", which was firmly held above the gate, has nearly been sanitized in Hong Kong after the changeover. Seeing the old thing, my blood was thickened.
I was placated by the serene atmosphere. In a sunny noon, around the autumn time, sauntering through this colonial place was more relaxing than any Osim stuff. The restaurant was on the 2/F. We walked up a spiral staircases, with all the simple and old sketches and pictures hang on the wall. I suspected some were from Chinnery. Once stepped in the restaurant, the scene was even more breathtaking. The unhindered harbour view was right in front of me. And the structure was smartly-built. It was a circular mansion, so one could view the Victoria harbour as wide as it gets. After all, rich guys get the best stuff.
As it was a business lunch, I did not eat much, even though it was a semi-buffet. Oysters were especially fresh and tasty. However, the portion of the main course could not even satisfy a crying baby's appetite.
After the lunch, my colleague told me that the Club was located in the "Kellett Island", to be exact. I learnt another new thing.
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