「兩周一聚」: 春

(Here is my first 「兩周一聚」entry. Michelle has explained the origin of this gathering here.)

We are eagerly waiting for spring and the warmer weather that will hopefully come soon. This year we haven’t had many Chinooks to melt away all the snow. In this part of the big white north, the official first day of Spring has little to do with when will the real “Spring” arrives. :) Considering we had night time -32C (after wind chill) (right, 32 C below zero) only a few nights ago, “Spring” seems very remote.

Spring plus warm weather will also be appreciated by the many plants in our gardens. There are lots of tulips waiting to pop up assuming the pesky rabbits & squirrels don’t get to them first. The roses will love warm weather too.

Right, the birds, I almost forgot the cute birds. When the last Chinook hit us, there were lots of birds (麻雀?) flying around and playing in the birds drinking fountain.

We are looking forward to the arrival of the “real” Spring.

Warning to rabbits & squirrels: Don’t think you are cute and I won’t to anything to you. Ha ha. I may add some hot pepper to the soil if you try to eat the tulip bulbs. Mr. & Ms. rabbits & squirrels considered yourself warned. I hope you are not 四川 rabbits and squirrels.

網友文章: 南杏 (本期出題者), 周游, Athrunz, Michelle, Sherry, 芸, yaya, longqt, mad dog, 醉生夢, 讀食, 軍師奶, 揚眉女子, lomichee, 微豆,

Sex, Love, Blog & Post (性,愛,博&寫)

• I read many blogs and I consider these bloggers as my “blog friends”. My real live friends and loved ones have my first priorities, always. But sometimes, I do know more about these “blog friends”/”never-met-once strangers” than some casual real-life acquaintances. As such, I care about the well being of my blog friends and love and treat them as friends.
• I have seen the good, the bad, and the scary in the blog world. I have seen a couple adding a baby girl to their family and another couple having a baby boy. I have seen someone that sharing his final days on his blog right before he passing. And I have seen a prominent female tech blogger in US receiving death threats that scared her enough to stop her from blogging. These are the facts of lives in the blog world.
• It is nice to see Leona, in respond to readandeat’s “休業“, sharing her blogging insights in “寫博與性” expressing 第一，不要計較長短, 第二，不要比較產量, 第三，不要在乎表現. These are nice principles and can help many beginning bloggers. For me, I write entries long and short. Some entries take me time to interview people and edit video clips, etc. Some entries are just reposting of an interesting link.
• Sometimes I post a few entries in a day, and other times I won’t post one in many days. For me, I enjoy using my blog as a tool to capture ideas and interesting info. Since I am reading and doing research almost all the time, I might as well posting some of them in my Creative Commons licensed blogs (I keep a few blogs) and share with others.

Now, for the “sex” part, let me blog about “淫照風暴”. I am not going to talk about the victims here but I will talk about the winners in this 淫照風暴! Are there winners? Yes, they are the massive number of newspapers & magazines reporters, writers, photographers, and most importantly companies that make money off the misery of the victims of this 淫照風暴. Some media companies justify their reporting of 淫照風暴 and reprinting of the photos as what the market wants. To me, that is the biggest pile of bull shit that a company wants us to believe and I think it is the lamest excuse of doing something immoral.

Ricky Gervais, one of the brightest comic genius in our generation, in this final Christmas Special of Extras, said “F*ck You” to the press in the most polite and passionate manner. Enjoy.

P.S. When I saw readandeat’s “休業“, I was quite worried, firstly about everyone’s health and then if anything else had happened. I suppose worry of the “unknown” is the hardest because it can be nothing or can be quite bad.

Ang Lee Documentary

I came across this Ang Lee documentary by chance. Very insightful. Enjoy.

甜蜜愛侶 – Sweet couple (Gwen and Ian)

I first clicked through to Gwen and Ian’s blog via one of the comments they left in another blog. Then almost an hour has passed with me clicking around their blog, leaving comments and checking out photos. In this blog world, I feel I know them a little already. What a strange but wonderful feeling.

Incidentally, on top of some interesting blog entries, what impressed me very much were their command of the English and Chinese languages. You see, for each blog entry, they have a Chinese and also an English edition! And both entries are quite readable. Very impressive. And I am not the type that is easily impressed by someone’s command of the two languages. Not that I am an expert but then I can be critical at times.

Check out their blog (Chinese (中文) or English (英文)) and see if you agree. Enjoy.

林燕妮 的 頑童留學

Reading 林燕妮 的 頑童留學 (alternate link) got me thinking. Here is an excerpt,

我 對 兒 子 的 Ivy League 夢 碎 了 ， 原 來 我 只 是 一 直 在 編 織 自 己 的 理 想 ， 他 可 不 那 麼 想 。 他 不 愛 循 規 蹈 矩 ， 不 但 把 監 護 人 氣 壞 ， 面 對 那 少 年 丐 幫 幫 主 ， 我 真 的 想 對 他 說 ： 「 請 你 把 我 氣 個 全 屍 而 死 吧 ！ 」

It is in parents’ genes to try to impart on their children their teachings, learnings, and even world views. Unfortunately, the children often have their own minds.

I am a certified expert in 激 my parents, so I emphasize with 林燕妮的兒子. Ultimately, good parents try to provide good education and some support to their children. How their children will or will not use these positively will be entirely up to them. There is no one predetermined path in life, and for sure it is not one predefined by parents.

Lets hope we can take our precious life in our hands and make the best out of it. After all, we only live once, and while we love our parents, we should live our lives for ourselves.

Good luck to us all (after we work our asses off, in our own ways).

P.S. I am glad I came across the book Co-opetition some years ago. Since then, I’ve viewed the rules in games/business dealings/negotiations/lives as something that can be changed to benefit everyone involved.

Oscar Winners: Kate Winslet, Sean Penn, Penelope Cruz @ Press Room

Nice to see the stars have some time to reflect and answer a few questions.

股神 畢菲特 教教你 – Warren Buffett’s insight

Many investors in Hong Kong have heard about Warren Buffett (畢菲特) and even call him 股神 because he is one of the richest men and best investors in the world. Unfortunately, most HKers have no real understanding nor appreciation of his investment principles and methods.

I have read a lot about him but don’t listen to me. Listen and learn from Warren the master himself.

His 2008 annual letter to the shareholders will be posted online along side previous letters this Saturday, 28 Feb, 2009. Enjoy and learn.

Warren always write his letters to shareholders in an easy to understand manner for regular people. You see, his two sisters who are investors but non-financial experts are amongst the people Warren wrote the letter for. In a time of financial crisis, I think Warren’s letter will be a good read.

[HT: CNBC]

Mr. Locke 駱家輝 Goes to Washington (& China)

If Mr. Gary Locke 駱家輝 gets through the confirmation hearings and become the head of the Commerce Department, I think it will help having closer relationship with China. Here is an excerpt from NYT “Commerce Pick Carries Lengthy China Résumé“,

The next year, Mr. Locke helped organize the 2006 visit to Seattle of President Hu Jintao of China, which was Mr. Hu’s only other American stop on his way to meet with President George W. Bush. Last summer, Mr. Locke carried the Olympic torch on one of its last legs in China before it reached Beijing.

Several leaders of trade groups in Seattle say Mr. Locke, the child of Chinese immigrants who lived the first years of his life in public housing in Seattle, is treated like a “rock star” when Chinese officials visit Seattle and when he travels to China.

“That means he’s got access and sort of a special cachet that’s probably going to get him a very special hearing,” said Bill Stafford, president of the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle.

In a 2005 interview with the Hong Kong-based newspaper The South China Morning Post, Mr. Locke said that despite comments by the State Department saying Mr. Hu would not meet with some foreigners during Communist Party meetings the year before, “I was able to meet with him for more than an hour.”

Cancel Amex, Get $300

Yes, by now it has been widely reported that canceling an Amex card can get some people $300. Ignoring the long term impact on the brand image for a moment, it is probably a smart financial move to offer money to get people with terrible credit risk to pay off their debt before end of April by offering them $300 as buy out payment.

In a world of recessional economy, it might be a smart move to get those delinquent debt paid off before other credit card companies get to the same group of dead beat card holders. I will be very surprise if the debts owned to American Express by these card holders are not into the thousands and tens of thousands. This is ultimately a calculated credit default risk/reward for American Express.

I would be very interested to find out more about the credit history of actual card holders who get offered these deals.

Twisted Sense of Beauty

Like many men, I enjoy looking at beautiful girls & women. At the same time, I am also very aware of how the cosmetic, beauty, and fashion industries are harming the minds of girls and women with the bombardment of their ads. Which is why I try to shine a light on what I called the twisted sense of beauty when I can.

Here is my favourite Dove Evolution.

另類詩人

Blogger 芸 seems sad or stressed out from her cryptic post. She told a story that includes a game/challenge so I turned myself into a 另類詩人 to try to cheer her up a little. Here is an excerpt from her post to give you some context (emphasis added),

昨夜星辰昨夜風，畫樓西畔桂堂東。
身無彩鳳雙飛翼，心有靈犀一點通。
隔座送鉤春酒暖，分曹射覆蠟燈紅。
嗟余聽鼓應官去，走馬蘭台類轉蓬。

李商隱《無題》

無意中想起這首七律，也想起那個有關「心有靈犀一點通」的故事。

倒忘了是從哪兒看來的故事，說慈禧太后當年召見新科狀元，正聊得興起，忽發其想丟了個難題給這位才子，說曰李商隱有句「心有靈犀一點通」雖是好詩， 但改為「靈犀一點有心通」似乎比較合適，於是請狀元據詩意平仄改寫上句。結果新科狀元茫無頭緒，尷尬不已，沒幾天便辭官歸故里了。

Not as someone who like rules nor feel bounded by them, I changed the game and have some fun my way.

You see, 「身無彩鳳雙飛翼，心有靈犀一點通」or 「???????，靈犀一點有心通」 雖好 but let me change this game a little. While I am no poet, 以下如何？

「醬油燒烤雞飛翼，乳酪一點通心粉」

How about this food variation? :) I hope I put a smile on 芸‘s face.

P.S. I actually enjoy chicken wings and it is one of my special dish but I can’t say I ever like mac & cheese.

P.P.S. I was fortunate to come across the book Co-opetition some years ago. Since then, I’ve viewed the rules in games/business dealings/negotiations as something that can be changed to benefit everyone involved. So game theory sometimes actually applies to game too. :)

10至15厘米的雪

Yes. It is snowing like one of those Christmas paintings. I thought our winter was over. And I am very wrong. Weather forecast said we will have 10-15 cm of snow today. I hope the driving condition will not be too horrible later today. Will see.

好戲咪走雞 Live – Oscars Movie Chat Live

Just finished a live on air chat with my friend Terry (陳家燕) on her popular radio show. We ended up chatting non-stop for 40 minutes about last night’s Oscars. Here are some follow up comments to my previous post.

Slumdog Millionaire (So happy the film has 8 awards including Best Picture, Best Direction, Music.)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (3 technical awards and no major awards)
The Wrestler (I am so disappointed that Mickey Rourke didn’t win but seeing Sean Penn, a principled American, won made me feel good.)
Rachel Getting Married (Anne Hathaway was touched by the praise she got when the nominees were introduced. Incidentally, I love how the nominees were all introduced in a thoughtful manner by former winners in their category. A nice touch.)
The Dark Knight (Heath Ledger won Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role as expected and I love her family focus on talking about Heath’s achievement and what he had bought us through his films.)
WALL·E (won Best Animated Feature as expected.)

Japan’s “Departures” directed by Yojiro Takita (滝田 洋二郎) won best foreign film, it is a film about a cellist whose orchestra is disbanded and, desperate for work, becomes a funeral professional. Here is a trailer.

P.S. Here is Roger Ebert’s take on the winners.

2008 Oscar – Sean Penn

I was surprised that Sean Penn won Best Actor, now may be I shouldn’t have been surprised since he won SAG and Critics Choice awards. Anyway, I was hoping Mickey Rourke would win.

Penn’s award speech was quite insightful and very right about Prop 8. See Times of India,

“I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support,” Penn said as he accepted his golden statuette.

“We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.“

Here is a video of Penn’s acceptance speech,

[HT: First Showing]

2008 Oscar – Kate Winslet

I am really happy for Kate Winslet in winning the Best Actress award (for The Reader) as she has grown with the diversity of roles she has taken over the years since I first noticed her in Titanic. Great for her.

To celebrate her win and have a bit of fun. Here is Kate playing a funny version of herself in Extras. Pay attention to what she said in the episode about Oscars. Quite funny. Enjoy.

Here is Kate talking about her Oscar winning role in an 2008 interview.

压低人民币汇率 => 供养美国 => 中国人愚蠢 ? – RMB exchange rate

薛兆丰 is one of the Chinese economist that I respect even we have our disagreements. For example, I disagree with him calling “美国奥巴马…乱花钱大计”. But I do think most of his analysis in his blog entry “压低人民币汇率等于供养美国” are clear and easy to understand. Here is an excerpt,

在2005年，经济学教授塔洛克（Gordon Tullock）在走廊拉着我问：“中国人只想收藏美钞，却向美国提供真材实料的商品，这是为什么？”我回答：“我知道中国人就是喜欢收藏美钞。”塔洛克摇头：“我想到的唯一解释，就是中国人愚蠢。”过了两个礼拜，我跑到塔洛克的办公室问他：“美国要求人民币升值，岂不也是很蠢？”塔洛克答：“美国政府是因为一些美国公司有意见，被迫向中国施加压力。美国只是说说，还没做什么；但中国是实实在在地把货物运过来，以过高的价格收藏美元，所以还是中国人蠢。” 我说：“美国这么一施加压力，中国人就更不愿意升值了。” 塔洛克了解中国人爱面子的脾气（他曾是驻中国的外交官），听了连连称是。

Penguin Books Ads in HK

Love this set of three Penguin Books Ads set in HK click photos to enlarge ads to see. I like this very targeted ad for book lovers in HK.

谷歌 搞笑 中文翻譯 – Funny Google Translation

Thanks to a comment in one of my 女朋友(網上的) – Ladies blog friends‘s blog entry “再遇絲襪男“, I’ve got a needed extra nudge to write my first comment in Chinese although it did take way too much time as expected.

Here is another Chinese comment I left.

谷歌中文翻譯版:

您的貓是如此可愛，但可能會推動我堅果。他們讓我想起我的貓。嗯，嚴格來說，不是我的貓。他/她是我的鄰居的貓。他/她訪問了我們幾晚一兩個星期前。我們遊蕩為什麼我們的動作感應光照亮了午夜之後！然後一個晚上，我打開了窗簾，看到一個肥貓。所以，我終於找到了我們的來源煩擾，我迅速做出了一些噪音嚇唬肥貓離開（他/她跳了這麼快） 。

現在我很高興的貓還沒有見過他。 Errrrr ，現在我們仍然有兔處理！

English original:

Your cats are so cute but will probably drive me nuts. They remind me of my cat. Well, strictly speaking, not my cat. She/He is my neighbor’s cat. S/He visited us for a few nights a week or two ago. We were wandering why our motion sensing light was lit up after midnight! And then one night I opened up the curtain and saw a fat cat. So I finally found the source of our annoyance and I promptly made some noise to scare the fat cat away (S/He hopped up so quickly).

Now I am happy as the cat has not been seen again. Errrrr, now we still have a rabbit to deal with!

後記: 親愛的 assenav 小姐, Yes, the above 谷歌中文翻譯版 is for you.  讀完頭痛? (微笑)

Much of the Google translation of my English text was difficult to follow and horrible to read (even it was not as horrible as I expected).