Here are my comments I left on CM's Dec 22, 2010 blog article entitled "如果... 有日要走難"
執輸行頭,慘過敗家
自私自利,損人利己
排隊打尖,爭先恐後
有利必圖,道德何價?
好呀!!三鹿集團被人槍斃個d後繼有人啦!!!!
I am pleased to learn many of us still hold dear to our values and principles.
Peace on earth !!!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
US Federal Reserve System
The following is quoted from someone who is trying to provide answers to the following two assertions:
(a) The Fed is a privately-owned profit-seeking entity
(b) The Fed is owned by a group of powerful elite international bankers
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear XXX:
I don't know whether you have a chance to verify independently whether the Fed is "a privately-owned profit-seeking entity". But when I read the Federal Reserve System/Purposes and Functions document (http://www.federalreserve.gov/pf/pdf/pf_1.pdf), I can only conclude that the Fed's Board of Governors is a public sector entity, similar to the Bank of Canada's Board of Directors. (http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/about/board.html) Please note that page 11 mentions that income/earnings from the Fed are returned to the Treasury.
(page 11) "..... The income of the Federal Reserve System is derived primarily from the interest on U.S. government securities that it has acquired through open market operations. Other major sources of income are the interest on foreign currency investments held by the System; interest on loans to depository institutions; and fees received for services provided to depository institutions, such as check clearing, funds transfers, and automated clearinghouse operations.
After it pays its expenses, the Federal Reserve turns the rest of its earnings over to the U.S. Treasury. About 95 percent of the Reserve Banks’ net earnings have been paid into the Treasury since the Federal Reserve System began operations in 1914. (Income and expenses of the Federal Reserve Banks from 1914 to the present are included in the Annual Report of the Board of Governors.) In 2003, the Federal Reserve paid approximately $22 billion to the Treasury. ....."
As to the suggestion that "the Fed is indeed owned by a group of powerful elite international bankers", I can only think of 3 remotely possible answers: China (indirectly thru the holding of US debts); IMF (International Monetary Fund) and the World Bank. However, when I examine the Fed's international portfolio (page 5 of same doc), I cannot find any mentioning of direct ownership by international bankers.
(page 5) "...... The Chairman has formal responsibilities in the international arena as well. For example, he is the alternate U.S. member of the board of governors of the International Monetary Fund, a member of the board of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), and a member, along with the heads of other relevant U.S. agencies and departments, of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies. He is also a member of U.S. delegations to key international meetings, such as those of the finance ministers and central bank governors of the seven largest industrial countries—referred to as the Group of Seven, or G-7. He, other Board members, and Board staff members share many international responsibilities, including representing the Federal Reserve at meetings at the BIS in Basel, Switzerland, and at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris, France. ....."
Conclusions:
Based on the above, I would submit that:
(a) the Fed is not a privately-owned profit-seeking entity
(b) the Fed is not owned by a group of elite international bankers.
Note: I am talking abt direct ownership, as opposed to the Seven Sisters type of international control (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Sisters_(oil_companies))
I am open to suggestions and stand to be corrected.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Here are the links to the website of The Fed Reserve Board:
* Board Members: http://www.federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/bios/board/default.htm
* The Fed Reserve Act: http://www.federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/fract.htm
+++++++++++++++++++++
The info below is from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_System
Commissioner / Entered office /Term expires:
1. Ben Bernanke (Chairman) / February 1, 2006 / January 31, 2020 January 31, 2014 (as Chairman)
2. Janet Yellen(Vice Chairman) / October 4, 2010 / January 31, 2024 October 4, 2014 (as Vice Chairman)
3. Kevin Warsh / February 24, 2006 / January 31, 2018
4. Elizabeth Duke / August 5, 2008 / January 31, 2012
5. Daniel Tarullo / January 28, 2009 / January 31, 2022
6. Sarah Bloom Raskin / October 4, 2010 / January 31, 2016
7. Vacant
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
**** Updated info: Nov 17, 2010 ****
Dear YYY:
There have been no lacks of academic papers, policy analyses, govt proclamations, partisan attacks, and other types of responses to the global financial crisis. Since I don't want to bore you with more detailed technical explanations, my comments will be brief here:
* I only wish the recent global financial crisis were as simple as Economic-101. According to Wikipedia, low interest rate (easy credit conditions) is only one of the thirteen factors that have contributed to the collapse. (ref: Wikipedia/Financial crisis of 2007–2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_crisis_of_2007-2010)
* Hind sight is 20/20 and pointing finger is easy to do after-the-fact. Let's not forget government downsizing and deregulation were very popular and en vigueur in the 90's (e.g. Program Reviews and Regulatory Reform in Canada) and those who did sound the alarm were run over by deregulation champion such as Alan Greenspan.
* In simple terms and with the advantage of hindsight, the US financial failure could be attributed to:
(a) Two types of errors: Human Errors (e.g. poor assessment of risks) + Systemic Errors (e.g. the unregulated "shadow banking system"); plus,
(b) An accumulation of national, bilateral and multilateral conditions leading up to the total collapse (e.g. consumers maxing out their credits, production and services offshoring, investment and trade deficits)
Related links:
* US Federal Reserve/FAQs/Who Owns the Federal Reserve: http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/faq/faqfrs.htm#5* Wikipedia/Shadow Banking System: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_banking_system* Wikipedia/Government Policies and the Subprime Mortgage Crisis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_policies_and_the_subprime_mortgage_crisis
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Umi Cafe Music and Poetry Night Nov 6, 2010
I quite enjoyed the Nov 6, 2010 evening event. There were quite a few first-time performers and altho they were not exactly your NAC-calibre musicians, I must give them credit for trying hard !!! Beside, that was how Dylan and the other greats started their careers - by playing at local cafes !!!
On the down side, I was less impressed with the quality of the poems presented, and I definitely found the in-praise-of Omar Khadr poem politically one-sided.
Anyway, I find Umi Cafe a great place to sit back, have a cup of chai latte, and nibble on some baked goods!!!
On the down side, I was less impressed with the quality of the poems presented, and I definitely found the in-praise-of Omar Khadr poem politically one-sided.
Anyway, I find Umi Cafe a great place to sit back, have a cup of chai latte, and nibble on some baked goods!!!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
萬聖夜 Halloween vs 萬聖節 All Saints' Day
Halloween falls on Oct 31 and All Saints' Day is on Nov 1. The following is from Wikipedia:
萬聖夜（英語：Halloween）在每年的10月31日，是西方世界的傳統節日，主要流行於北美、不列顛群島、澳大利亞和紐西蘭。當晚小孩會穿上化妝服，戴上面具，挨家挨戶收集榶果。
萬聖夜英文稱之「Halloween」，為「All Hallow Eve」的縮寫，是指萬聖節（All Hallow's Day）的前夜。「Hallow」來源於中古英語「halwen」，與「holy」詞源很接近，在蘇格蘭和加拿大的某些區域，萬聖節仍然被稱為「Allhallowmas」，意思是在紀念所有的聖人（All Hallows）那一天要舉行的彌撒（Mass）。
萬聖夜通常與靈異的事物聯繫起來。歐洲傳統上認為萬聖節是鬼魂世界最接近人間的時間，這傳說與中國的中元節，即盂蘭節以及日本的百鬼夜行類似。
起源
不同於聖誕節和復活節，萬聖節和萬聖夜來自於天主教對其它宗教的節日的吸收、改造和重新詮釋。萬聖夜起源於不列顛凱爾特人的傳統節日，在10月的最後一天，他們相信這是夏天的終結，冬天的開始，這一天是一年的重要標誌，是最重要的節日之一，被稱為「死人之日」，或者「鬼節」。這一天各種惡鬼出沒，死去人們的靈魂也會離開身體，在世間遊走，這一天的晚上也就格外危險。為了嚇走邪惡的鬼魂，凱爾特人會戴上面具。
傳說當天主教傳教士登陸不列顛諸島的時候，傳教士們為了壓制這種被他們視為異端的德魯伊傳統，就把這一天之後的11月第一天定為萬聖節，紀念天主教的聖人們，希望以此打壓這些鬼怪觀念。不過，諸聖日實際應源自天主教在意大利和高盧的一個隱修會本篤會（Order of Saint Benedict），本篤會會士一向習慣在11月1日的晚課中為亡者誦經，受這傳統所影響，後來教會把11月1日定為諸聖日。
萬聖節和鬼節的習俗，主要是在英倫三島和北美的前英屬殖民地，也就是美國、加拿大、澳大利亞、紐西蘭等地。其中美國的萬聖夜傳統，最初由來自愛爾蘭和蘇格蘭的移民於19世紀傳入，而其他發達國家則於20世紀末受美國流行文化影響而開始慶祝萬聖夜。
Ref: Wikipedia 維基百科
* October 31st Halloween 萬聖夜
* November 1st All Saints' Day 諸聖節，又稱萬聖節
萬聖夜（英語：Halloween）在每年的10月31日，是西方世界的傳統節日，主要流行於北美、不列顛群島、澳大利亞和紐西蘭。當晚小孩會穿上化妝服，戴上面具，挨家挨戶收集榶果。
萬聖夜英文稱之「Halloween」，為「All Hallow Eve」的縮寫，是指萬聖節（All Hallow's Day）的前夜。「Hallow」來源於中古英語「halwen」，與「holy」詞源很接近，在蘇格蘭和加拿大的某些區域，萬聖節仍然被稱為「Allhallowmas」，意思是在紀念所有的聖人（All Hallows）那一天要舉行的彌撒（Mass）。
萬聖夜通常與靈異的事物聯繫起來。歐洲傳統上認為萬聖節是鬼魂世界最接近人間的時間，這傳說與中國的中元節，即盂蘭節以及日本的百鬼夜行類似。
起源
不同於聖誕節和復活節，萬聖節和萬聖夜來自於天主教對其它宗教的節日的吸收、改造和重新詮釋。萬聖夜起源於不列顛凱爾特人的傳統節日，在10月的最後一天，他們相信這是夏天的終結，冬天的開始，這一天是一年的重要標誌，是最重要的節日之一，被稱為「死人之日」，或者「鬼節」。這一天各種惡鬼出沒，死去人們的靈魂也會離開身體，在世間遊走，這一天的晚上也就格外危險。為了嚇走邪惡的鬼魂，凱爾特人會戴上面具。
傳說當天主教傳教士登陸不列顛諸島的時候，傳教士們為了壓制這種被他們視為異端的德魯伊傳統，就把這一天之後的11月第一天定為萬聖節，紀念天主教的聖人們，希望以此打壓這些鬼怪觀念。不過，諸聖日實際應源自天主教在意大利和高盧的一個隱修會本篤會（Order of Saint Benedict），本篤會會士一向習慣在11月1日的晚課中為亡者誦經，受這傳統所影響，後來教會把11月1日定為諸聖日。
萬聖節和鬼節的習俗，主要是在英倫三島和北美的前英屬殖民地，也就是美國、加拿大、澳大利亞、紐西蘭等地。其中美國的萬聖夜傳統，最初由來自愛爾蘭和蘇格蘭的移民於19世紀傳入，而其他發達國家則於20世紀末受美國流行文化影響而開始慶祝萬聖夜。
Ref: Wikipedia 維基百科
* October 31st Halloween 萬聖夜
* November 1st All Saints' Day 諸聖節，又稱萬聖節
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Departed
I read Fresh Designer's 2010年10月3日 blog story "九流小說: 夢田 (一)" and found it a bit too close to home =_=
His story reminds me of my friend Anita Wong --> "黃潤娥的故事:留言"
We all leave this world eventually, but some depart so unfairly young !!!
His story reminds me of my friend Anita Wong --> "黃潤娥的故事:留言"
We all leave this world eventually, but some depart so unfairly young !!!
Crime Committed in Broad Daylight !!!
This is what S saw this afternoon from inside a resturant.
In broad daylight, with lots of ppl and traffic on the street, this middle-age guy walked up to a car parked outside the restaurant, wrapped the fist with his jacket and smashed the window. He reached in, took the laptop insde and escaped on a bicycle.
I asked S why nobody had tried to stop the guy. Apparently everyone was just too stunned by the blatant lawlessness and by the time the brain recovered from the shock, the guy had alread made his escape.
In broad daylight, with lots of ppl and traffic on the street, this middle-age guy walked up to a car parked outside the restaurant, wrapped the fist with his jacket and smashed the window. He reached in, took the laptop insde and escaped on a bicycle.
I asked S why nobody had tried to stop the guy. Apparently everyone was just too stunned by the blatant lawlessness and by the time the brain recovered from the shock, the guy had alread made his escape.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
European Elections: The Swing to the Right
I read with interest Eva's Sept 21, 2010 blog article "周游列國 - 我們只想有安樂生活". The posted YouTube video shows a crowd demonstrating against a far-right, conservative, anti-immigration political party that has won seats in the recent election in Sweden. Here are my comments:
Haricot says on Oct 04, 2010 at 4:24 am:
I read some of the comments posted on YouTube (translated from Swedish to English). There are no surprises. Confronted by a society’s social-economic or political problems, some ppl will always find scapegoats to blame, be they immigrants, ethnic minorities, religious groups, GLBTs, and/or anyone who are considered “different and not one of us”.
Having said that, however, there are immigrant-specific issues (such as high unemployment, integration with mainstream society, youths, etc) that need to be dealt with rather than being swept under the carpet in the name of political correctness.
Reference:
Eva's blog article: http://wordwordword.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/%e6%88%91%e5%80%91%e5%8f%aa%e6%83%b3%e6%9c%89%e5%ae%89%e6%a8%82%e7%94%9f%e6%b4%bb/
Haricot says on Oct 04, 2010 at 4:24 am:
I read some of the comments posted on YouTube (translated from Swedish to English). There are no surprises. Confronted by a society’s social-economic or political problems, some ppl will always find scapegoats to blame, be they immigrants, ethnic minorities, religious groups, GLBTs, and/or anyone who are considered “different and not one of us”.
Having said that, however, there are immigrant-specific issues (such as high unemployment, integration with mainstream society, youths, etc) that need to be dealt with rather than being swept under the carpet in the name of political correctness.
Reference:
Eva's blog article: http://wordwordword.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/%e6%88%91%e5%80%91%e5%8f%aa%e6%83%b3%e6%9c%89%e5%ae%89%e6%a8%82%e7%94%9f%e6%b4%bb/
Galloping Buffalo
Click here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Muybridge_Buffalo_galloping.gif
(Sourece: Wikipedia/Bison)
(Sourece: Wikipedia/Bison)
贏了又如何?
Here are my comments posted on San Wen Ji's Sep 23, 2010 blog article "生命":
Haricot 微豆 said 10/04/2010 3:24 AM
>> .... 贏了又如何
I agree with you.
In life's journey, the means are the ends !!! Otherwise, why bother to even try when death is always the final end to life's journey.
The same logic applies to putting too much emphasis on winning/losing games.
Ref: SWJ - http://sanwenji.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-post_5000.html
Haricot 微豆 said 10/04/2010 3:24 AM
>> .... 贏了又如何
I agree with you.
In life's journey, the means are the ends !!! Otherwise, why bother to even try when death is always the final end to life's journey.
The same logic applies to putting too much emphasis on winning/losing games.
Ref: SWJ - http://sanwenji.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-post_5000.html
There is Nothing to Fear Except Fear Itself
The following are my comments in response to 火羽's 2010-09-29 blog article "如果成為男人之後, 最想做的一件事":
Gender Limitations
While I agree there are gender limitations in the kinds of things we wish we could have experienced (may I suggest pregnancy and motherhood minus the child-birth part :O), many of us are actually limiting ourselves because of fear. Over the years, I have known women who travel by themselves and experience lives to the fullest.
Of course, one has to be aware of gender-specific risks/danger and avoid going to certain middle-east countries where women are being treated poorly by their male counterparts and stoning is still sanctioned by the legal systems. Nor should one enter into regions where wars, crimes and civil unrests are rampant and women are easy targets.
However, having assessed and mitigated the risks involved, women (and for that matter, men too) are actually capable of going places and doing things, only if they can overcome their sometimes unfounded fear.
(note: I want to emphasize once again, it is not my intention to underestimate or discount the importance of feeling safe and secure while one is travelling. I do recognize there are real or perceived exceptions to "There is nothing to fear except fear itself".)
Reference:
* 火羽's article and her responses: http://tsubasa2046.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=2600445
Gender Limitations
While I agree there are gender limitations in the kinds of things we wish we could have experienced (may I suggest pregnancy and motherhood minus the child-birth part :O), many of us are actually limiting ourselves because of fear. Over the years, I have known women who travel by themselves and experience lives to the fullest.
Of course, one has to be aware of gender-specific risks/danger and avoid going to certain middle-east countries where women are being treated poorly by their male counterparts and stoning is still sanctioned by the legal systems. Nor should one enter into regions where wars, crimes and civil unrests are rampant and women are easy targets.
However, having assessed and mitigated the risks involved, women (and for that matter, men too) are actually capable of going places and doing things, only if they can overcome their sometimes unfounded fear.
(note: I want to emphasize once again, it is not my intention to underestimate or discount the importance of feeling safe and secure while one is travelling. I do recognize there are real or perceived exceptions to "There is nothing to fear except fear itself".)
Reference:
* 火羽's article and her responses: http://tsubasa2046.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=2600445
Friday, October 1, 2010
You Are Handsome With Your Mouth Closed !!!
In his 2010年10月1日 blog article "你"...... , Fresh Designer talks abt communication issues btwn the two sexes. It all comes down to the cliche question: What do women want?" The following are my comments on the communication part:
Haricot 微豆 提到...
Not an insignificant number of men in our society are brought up to believe, among other things, that:
* they are the "stronger" sex and therefore are protectors of the family - their opinions count* unlike women, men don't cry (at least not in public) and should hide their feelings (known as "caving")
* they are the problem solvers, the action-oriented Mr. Fix it, and not the let's-talk-about-it type.
On the other hand, a woman often just wants to talk. She is not necessarily asking Mr. Fix-it for opinions and advice. She might just want him to listen (and shut up at the same time).
I am generalizing things a bit here, but you get the gist.
Haricot 微豆 提到...
Not an insignificant number of men in our society are brought up to believe, among other things, that:
* they are the "stronger" sex and therefore are protectors of the family - their opinions count* unlike women, men don't cry (at least not in public) and should hide their feelings (known as "caving")
* they are the problem solvers, the action-oriented Mr. Fix it, and not the let's-talk-about-it type.
On the other hand, a woman often just wants to talk. She is not necessarily asking Mr. Fix-it for opinions and advice. She might just want him to listen (and shut up at the same time).
I am generalizing things a bit here, but you get the gist.
Writing Chinese: Wordy's "語文隨談" Series
The following are my comments posted this evening at 2weeks1gather under "九月號成員專訪: Wordy":
Haricot 十月 2, 2010 01:26 .....
I think Wordy is one of the Jedi knights of Chinese language on the Net. Not only is he a good writer, he is also a tireless teacher, providing many excellent tips on the proper use of Chinese in everyday writing. I especially enjoy his series of 30 articles under the tags 花言巧語, 語文隨談.. For example: In article #13, Wordy points out:
".... 「那」主要作指示代名詞，「哪」在近代漢語只是一個語氣助語，到現代漢語則多了一個用法──疑問代詞。..."
I must confess I never knew the difference !!!
As well, I enjoyed the 「周日名采」Sunday Brunch series, of which he is a core contributor. Even though I have made only four submissions so far (【驀然回首】, 【遺憾何價?】, 「假如有投胎」之【靈光】, 【小王子与老郭】), I thoroughly enjoyed writing everyone of those articles.
Anyway, hats off to Wordy !!
Haricot 十月 2, 2010 01:26 .....
I think Wordy is one of the Jedi knights of Chinese language on the Net. Not only is he a good writer, he is also a tireless teacher, providing many excellent tips on the proper use of Chinese in everyday writing. I especially enjoy his series of 30 articles under the tags 花言巧語, 語文隨談.. For example: In article #13, Wordy points out:
".... 「那」主要作指示代名詞，「哪」在近代漢語只是一個語氣助語，到現代漢語則多了一個用法──疑問代詞。..."
I must confess I never knew the difference !!!
As well, I enjoyed the 「周日名采」Sunday Brunch series, of which he is a core contributor. Even though I have made only four submissions so far (【驀然回首】, 【遺憾何價?】, 「假如有投胎」之【靈光】, 【小王子与老郭】), I thoroughly enjoyed writing everyone of those articles.
Anyway, hats off to Wordy !!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Ronald Duncan Passed Away Suddenly
Ron Duncan, a runner living in the neighbourhood, suddenly passed away last Sunday September 5, 2010.
Apparently, he told the church people he was not feeling well, went to the hospital, and passed away quickly. His relatives and neighbours are all shocked.
I would dedicate my next run to him.
RIP my friend !!
Apparently, he told the church people he was not feeling well, went to the hospital, and passed away quickly. His relatives and neighbours are all shocked.
I would dedicate my next run to him.
RIP my friend !!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Suddenly Enlightened !
Whilst we think we are enlightened, whilst other ppl are showering us with praises, whilst we congratulate each other with the same subjectivity, a healthy dose of individual skepticism and self-doubt is still a good thing.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
If Love is All You Need, how about Accountability?
Here are my comments posted on 周游's Aug 24, 2010 blog article "靜默的關愛":
周游: ".... 同理心是將世上一切生命視之等同，以寬懷的心把國界泯滅，把靜默的關愛越過漫天的所謂討論和公義，送到他方，達賴喇嘛說的。我們、你們、他們，之間的是人為屏障。..."
Haricot: ".... I am not disagreeing with you that blind rage doesn’t help. But, emotions aside, how abt the issue of accountability?
靜默的關愛 is desirable (I am even open to the suggestion that it is perhaps necessary). However, with all respect, I would submit that it is not a sufficient condition to deliver justice and prevent problems.... "
Reference:
周游 靜默的關愛 posted on 八月 24, 2010
周游: ".... 同理心是將世上一切生命視之等同，以寬懷的心把國界泯滅，把靜默的關愛越過漫天的所謂討論和公義，送到他方，達賴喇嘛說的。我們、你們、他們，之間的是人為屏障。..."
Haricot: ".... I am not disagreeing with you that blind rage doesn’t help. But, emotions aside, how abt the issue of accountability?
靜默的關愛 is desirable (I am even open to the suggestion that it is perhaps necessary). However, with all respect, I would submit that it is not a sufficient condition to deliver justice and prevent problems.... "
Reference:
周游 靜默的關愛 posted on 八月 24, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Love Story
When I was living at the university dorm, I once had a wall poster with picture of a fawn wandering freely in the forest. The text served as a reminder to myself at the time:"If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was."
The said fawn married to a VIP who later had a much publicized affair and the two are now divorced.
Still, I believe the means is more important than the end.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
View of Table Mountain, South Africa
I was travelling on a bus when I took this snap shot of the clouds slowly rolling over the top of the mountain.
Friday, June 25, 2010
資料專家 - Blog friend "Space"
Below are my comments left at Fresh Designer's 2010年6月22日 blog article: "「想像」中的你 ~ 心空 (space)" which is really fun to read. (http://freshdesigner.blogspot.com/2010/06/space.html)
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Haricot 微豆 6/24/2010 1:39 下午 提到...
新鮮兄: 我一路睇,一路笑到眼淚都流出嚟!!! 正如小豬姐話:『鼓掌!!』
我同心空兄都係喜欢搜尋資料個類人,不過我就無佢咁仔細,又無咁多耐心研究,所以我都好喜欢讀佢嘅詳細文章,以逸待勞,有時睇完「伸延閱覽」,又再閱「我的舊文」,回答過陣就好似寫論文咁,連我自己都好驚奇!!
我同心空兄都好少頂頸, agree to disagree 嘛!! 不過佢有一次話: 無怪我支持花旗政策,因為我住得太接近美國,当時真係比佢激嚫,咁不過几日之後我又無事。
我地網絡世界係需要好似Space兄咁嘅資料專家,有文有路有cross-reference,唔係好似係YouTube過度嘅莽民,無憑無據就順囗開河作人身攻擊。
努力 !!!!
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Haricot 微豆 6/24/2010 1:39 下午 提到...
新鮮兄: 我一路睇,一路笑到眼淚都流出嚟!!! 正如小豬姐話:『鼓掌!!』
我同心空兄都係喜欢搜尋資料個類人,不過我就無佢咁仔細,又無咁多耐心研究,所以我都好喜欢讀佢嘅詳細文章,以逸待勞,有時睇完「伸延閱覽」,又再閱「我的舊文」,回答過陣就好似寫論文咁,連我自己都好驚奇!!
我同心空兄都好少頂頸, agree to disagree 嘛!! 不過佢有一次話: 無怪我支持花旗政策,因為我住得太接近美國,当時真係比佢激嚫,咁不過几日之後我又無事。
我地網絡世界係需要好似Space兄咁嘅資料專家,有文有路有cross-reference,唔係好似係YouTube過度嘅莽民,無憑無據就順囗開河作人身攻擊。
努力 !!!!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Earthquake 5.0
The earthquake was felt all the way down in Windsor. The epic centre was north of Ottawa. I thought it was a truck hitting the building when there was a loud noise and the floor started to shake. But then the motion was sideway and consistent (as opposed to an impact) which led me to believe it was an earthquake.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Comments to Kempton's "兩周一聚. 第三十八期: 分享心得”
Here are my comments on Kempton's June 20, 2010 blog article: "兩周一聚. 第三十八期: 分享心得”
1. 圖書館: Public libraries are good for borrowing expensive bks that I will read maybe only once.
2. 基本投資知識/Basic Investment knowledge: My demand-side investment strategy is to prioritize spending (e.g. eat clean, exercise, travel), while ensuring I have “enough” to wrap things up.
3. 後悔做了的事/後悔沒有做的事？
Most of my regrets were committed when I was young: "花開堪折直須折,莫待無花空折枝 (三) / Reminiscing in Front of a Closed Door (Part 3)" But I have learnt since then !!!
1. 圖書館: Public libraries are good for borrowing expensive bks that I will read maybe only once.
2. 基本投資知識/Basic Investment knowledge: My demand-side investment strategy is to prioritize spending (e.g. eat clean, exercise, travel), while ensuring I have “enough” to wrap things up.
3. 後悔做了的事/後悔沒有做的事？
Most of my regrets were committed when I was young: "花開堪折直須折,莫待無花空折枝 (三) / Reminiscing in Front of a Closed Door (Part 3)" But I have learnt since then !!!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa
Here are my comments posted today at Jenni's May 24, 2010 blog article 足球狂熱:
I too played football (aka soccer) with my chumps when I was in primary and secondary schools, but was never very good at it.
I was in Rome when Italy won the FIFE World Cup and the whole country went wild, just like what you saw in HK, and perhaps more.
This year, I will be cheering for South Africa. I hope the game will help their country both politically and economically.
Come to think of it, I passed by the stadium in Cape Town when I was visiting South Africa. Maybe I will post some of the pics I took there onto my blog lotusandcedar.
I too played football (aka soccer) with my chumps when I was in primary and secondary schools, but was never very good at it.
I was in Rome when Italy won the FIFE World Cup and the whole country went wild, just like what you saw in HK, and perhaps more.
This year, I will be cheering for South Africa. I hope the game will help their country both politically and economically.
Come to think of it, I passed by the stadium in Cape Town when I was visiting South Africa. Maybe I will post some of the pics I took there onto my blog lotusandcedar.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Air Conditioning on May 26, 2010
This year's weather has been unpredictable. It's the first time in recent memory that I turn the air-conditioning sys on this early !! Usually, it is a few days in late July or August, if at all.
Anyway, I set the sys at 28 deg C to take off the accumulated heat coming thru the roof upstairs.
Anyway, I set the sys at 28 deg C to take off the accumulated heat coming thru the roof upstairs.
Quote from a widely circulated pps file entitled "老人家的三句話"
I don't always agree with stuff forwarded to me via email (usually PowerPoint Slides or pps files). But the ending of the one entitled "老人家的三句話" seems to have created some resonance:
Money is gone, nothing is gone（失去了金錢，沒有失去什麼）
Health is gone, half is gone.（失去了健康，失去了一半）
Hope is gone, everything is gone.（失去了希望，就失去了全部）
Money is gone, nothing is gone（失去了金錢，沒有失去什麼）
Health is gone, half is gone.（失去了健康，失去了一半）
Hope is gone, everything is gone.（失去了希望，就失去了全部）
Sunday, May 23, 2010
香港工專 / Hong Kong Technical College HKTC
I have many fond memories of 觀塘 !!!".... I was working one summer for the Vita Soy / Pepsi Cola company located there. I also had a link with the old HKTC, having spent many mornings at 7 am practising 功力拳 with [some HKTC] students in the grassy school yard at the back of the old building (if it still exists) ...."
The above are my comments left at Fresh Designer's 2010年5月19日 blog article "觀塘略影: 裕民坊一角!"
Yes, time has passed by quickly, and many of the ppl I practised kungfu with during those early hours at 香港工專 Hong Kong Technical College have moved on. One reached near the pinnacle of the HK society, his profile flashed across TV screens and newspaper. Another had married the former, and she too was in the news several years ago. A few like myself have gone overseas to seek our future. And the rest of the ppl? I have lost track of them all.
As Fresh Designer concluded in his article: "... 當中不少的人和事亦會消失得無影無踪了"
Monday, May 17, 2010
文筆創意
My comments left at 2weeks1gather's "五月成員專訪: 周游"
一口氣看完了這篇採訪,周游文筆創意像三梭鏡一樣放射光譜七色,但我讀後回想,她說的一切一切,又像馬鈴薯加白開水那么簡單。
(May 17, 2010)
一口氣看完了這篇採訪,周游文筆創意像三梭鏡一樣放射光譜七色,但我讀後回想,她說的一切一切,又像馬鈴薯加白開水那么簡單。
(May 17, 2010)
Saturday, May 8, 2010
A to Z
Here are my comments posted on May 1, 2010 at 2weeks2gather "Ada 的「大愚若智:我做過最傻的事"
I agree with you. It’s interesting to note how the world associates “best” with the letter “A”. For example:
- Top bonds issued by countries, institutions, or companies are rated AAA (ref: On 27 April 2010, the Greek debt rating was decreased to BB+, a ‘junk’ status, by Standard & Poor’s)
- Beef graded AAA is better than AA, same for chickens and turkeys, etc.
- Eggs too are graded similarly
- The expressions “A-1″ and “A-OK”, as in “This car is in A-1 condition” and “Everything is A-OK”
And BTW, your writing is good, A for Ada ^_^ But your point of not wanting to be number one is not lost. So here is an option: How abt Zada? Zada (I believe it’s arabic) means “prosperous and fortunate” !!
I agree with you. It’s interesting to note how the world associates “best” with the letter “A”. For example:
- Top bonds issued by countries, institutions, or companies are rated AAA (ref: On 27 April 2010, the Greek debt rating was decreased to BB+, a ‘junk’ status, by Standard & Poor’s)
- Beef graded AAA is better than AA, same for chickens and turkeys, etc.
- Eggs too are graded similarly
- The expressions “A-1″ and “A-OK”, as in “This car is in A-1 condition” and “Everything is A-OK”
And BTW, your writing is good, A for Ada ^_^ But your point of not wanting to be number one is not lost. So here is an option: How abt Zada? Zada (I believe it’s arabic) means “prosperous and fortunate” !!
The road to hell is often paved with good intentions.
Here are my comments to a 2weeks1gather article entitled Wordy: 有其母必有其子"
>> ... 既然出發點是對的、好的、正確的話，就算手法不夠好，對方也該接受。
Maybe yes, maybe not. As the saying goes: "The road to hell is often paved with good intentions." Anyway, I am glad to hear you find commonality with your Mom.
"The road to hell ..." is actually a very popular proverb often heard at meetings in Ottawa. Policy-makers must not forget that good intention "出發點" is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for success. No matter how "good" a proposed policy is, it still is from YOUR perspective / agena, and not the person on the receiving end. The challenge is therefore to establish a shared agenda, if not in whole, at least in parts, and in doing so, try to consult and create synergy.
>> ... 既然出發點是對的、好的、正確的話，就算手法不夠好，對方也該接受。
Maybe yes, maybe not. As the saying goes: "The road to hell is often paved with good intentions." Anyway, I am glad to hear you find commonality with your Mom.
"The road to hell ..." is actually a very popular proverb often heard at meetings in Ottawa. Policy-makers must not forget that good intention "出發點" is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for success. No matter how "good" a proposed policy is, it still is from YOUR perspective / agena, and not the person on the receiving end. The challenge is therefore to establish a shared agenda, if not in whole, at least in parts, and in doing so, try to consult and create synergy.
Friday, May 7, 2010
「人不輕狂枉少年」,跟著是不是「老尚風流是壽徵」??
My comments left at Dreamer's blog:
1. 我的中文生銹,沒有想到儍丶蠢丶錯的分別。
2. 我的輕狂似乎是跟隨著我長大。
3. 「人不輕狂枉少年」,跟著是不是「老尚風流是壽徵」?? 哈哈,講笑咋!!!
1. 我的中文生銹,沒有想到儍丶蠢丶錯的分別。
2. 我的輕狂似乎是跟隨著我長大。
3. 「人不輕狂枉少年」,跟著是不是「老尚風流是壽徵」?? 哈哈,講笑咋!!!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Asian Heritage Month - May 6, 2010
I went to National Archive's Main Library on Wellington to hear Professor Errol Mendes and Dr. Vincent Lam speak, followed by a panel discussion and a reception.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
HP SimpleSave Portable 320 GB Hard Drive
I bought a HP SimpleSave Portable Hard Drive (320 GB) yesterday and started the back-up operation at around 20h00. Twelve hours later, only 18 GB of data has been copied and stored. I had expected the transfer rate to be faster. The bottle-neck could be the USB 2.0 cable - my guess.
++++++++++++ (Update 20100505) ++++++++++++++++++++++
Here is the SimpleSave report some 30 hours later:
_______________________________________________________
Backup Job Report
Backup to: K:\Backup Files\1\1\V0\
Backup Started At: 04/05/2010 5:14:12 PM
Number Of File(s) Processed: 9,380 [abt 35.6 GB)
Number Of File(s) Skipped: 1
FindFirstFile(The system cannot find the file specified.2) : C:\Users\HP_PX20100224\Documents\~$aghetti with Squid Ink Spaghetti al Nero di.doc
Backup Ended At: 05/05/2010 11:26:08 PM
_______________________________________________________
++++++++++++ (Update 20100505) ++++++++++++++++++++++
Here is the SimpleSave report some 30 hours later:
_______________________________________________________
Backup Job Report
Backup to: K:\Backup Files\1\1\V0\
Backup Started At: 04/05/2010 5:14:12 PM
Number Of File(s) Processed: 9,380 [abt 35.6 GB)
Number Of File(s) Skipped: 1
FindFirstFile(The system cannot find the file specified.2) : C:\Users\HP_PX20100224\Documents\~$aghetti with Squid Ink Spaghetti al Nero di.doc
Backup Ended At: 05/05/2010 11:26:08 PM
_______________________________________________________
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Reality-checks on: 大智若愚, 大愚若智 / 聰明多被聰明誤 / 傻人
I posted earlier this evening the following comments on Vince's April 29, 2010 blog article entitled "大愚若智"
Vince:
The Chinese-language side of my brain has no problem understanding the concept of 大智若愚, 大愚若智 etc.
And my English-language brain actually agrees with the adage 聰明多被聰明誤 - too smart for his/her own good.
But my political experience / instinct tells me that 傻人 (real or percieved) do not last long in this town !!!
Haricot May 2, 2010 11:22 PM
It is one of those reality-checks that I often do.
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(Update) An excellent response from Best Actor:
haha, fair enough! ;o) all joking aside, i think doing silly things or doing stupid things are a little different. at work, there will always be rules and protocol to follow, but in one's private life, one can calculate all one wants, or can follow his/her heart and do some silly things... it's all about context and circumstance, i guess.
May 3, 2010 8:09 AM
Vince:
The Chinese-language side of my brain has no problem understanding the concept of 大智若愚, 大愚若智 etc.
And my English-language brain actually agrees with the adage 聰明多被聰明誤 - too smart for his/her own good.
But my political experience / instinct tells me that 傻人 (real or percieved) do not last long in this town !!!
Haricot May 2, 2010 11:22 PM
It is one of those reality-checks that I often do.
++++++++++++++++++++
(Update) An excellent response from Best Actor:
haha, fair enough! ;o) all joking aside, i think doing silly things or doing stupid things are a little different. at work, there will always be rules and protocol to follow, but in one's private life, one can calculate all one wants, or can follow his/her heart and do some silly things... it's all about context and circumstance, i guess.
May 3, 2010 8:09 AM
Monday, April 26, 2010
On-line Tech Support
I had been unable to activate a Symantech product but their chat-line tech support was able to resolve the issue in only 25 minutes (incl 10 minutes of waiting time, I was 6th in line). I am fairly happy.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Drifters
Here are my comments posted on Space's May 2 2010 blog article "Expired 過了限期！" ...
"... I lived in a small mining town for almost three yrs and saw a lot of travelling musicians trying to make a living in smoky bars where nobody paid attention. Just like in the movie [Crazy Hearts], many of them had drug and alcohol issues. There are women who would fall for drifters, but not likely the sensible type played by Maggie G. ..."
BTW, there are many places where one may encounter drifters. For examples: seasonal forest camps, railway track gangs (see my blog article at 【鐵路人狼】), Midway carnivals, shelters for homeless men, bars in seedy parts of town, hospital ER on weekends, etc.
The above are said without judgment and should not be considered as a put-down against drifters (esp many of the old-timers I met on the train tracks one summer when I was working for Canadian National Railway CNR).
Ref:
* Space's May 2 2010 blog article
"Expired 過了限期！" " ..... 後記: 電影 Crazy Heart 港譯："聲聲相識" 有 Jeff Bridges 演 Bad Blake 過氣牛仔鄉謠歌手 和 Maggie Gyllenhaal 演 Jean Craddock 單親媽媽。....."
* "Drifters" Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drifter_(person)
* 「兩週一聚: 朋友」之【鐵路人狼】(第一集) / Bi-weekly Series: Friend(s)【The Railway Gang 】Part 1 http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2008/11/bi-weekly-series-friendsthe-railway.html
"... I lived in a small mining town for almost three yrs and saw a lot of travelling musicians trying to make a living in smoky bars where nobody paid attention. Just like in the movie [Crazy Hearts], many of them had drug and alcohol issues. There are women who would fall for drifters, but not likely the sensible type played by Maggie G. ..."
BTW, there are many places where one may encounter drifters. For examples: seasonal forest camps, railway track gangs (see my blog article at 【鐵路人狼】), Midway carnivals, shelters for homeless men, bars in seedy parts of town, hospital ER on weekends, etc.
The above are said without judgment and should not be considered as a put-down against drifters (esp many of the old-timers I met on the train tracks one summer when I was working for Canadian National Railway CNR).
Ref:
* Space's May 2 2010 blog article
"Expired 過了限期！" " ..... 後記: 電影 Crazy Heart 港譯："聲聲相識" 有 Jeff Bridges 演 Bad Blake 過氣牛仔鄉謠歌手 和 Maggie Gyllenhaal 演 Jean Craddock 單親媽媽。....."
* "Drifters" Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drifter_(person)
* 「兩週一聚: 朋友」之【鐵路人狼】(第一集) / Bi-weekly Series: Friend(s)【The Railway Gang 】Part 1 http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2008/11/bi-weekly-series-friendsthe-railway.html
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
別人騎馬我騎驢﹐仔細思量我不如﹐只是回頭看﹐還有挑腳漢。
Here are my comments posted on Best Actor's April 14th blog article "C'est la vie":
Having worked as labourer in HK and Canada, I identify myself more with 挑腳漢 --> Hard work builds characters. No pain, no gain !!!I also agree with you [Best Actor] the virtue of not being too materialistic.
Reference:
"C'est la Vie !" http://memoriesblossom.blogspot.com/2010/04/cest-la-vie.html
Some of my blog articles re working for the Canadian National Railway CNR in Canada and Pepsi/Vita Soy in HK:
* http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2008/11/bi-weekly-series-friendsthe-railway.html
* http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2007/02/72-occupations-thirst-quencher-part-1.html
Having worked as labourer in HK and Canada, I identify myself more with 挑腳漢 --> Hard work builds characters. No pain, no gain !!!I also agree with you [Best Actor] the virtue of not being too materialistic.
Reference:
"C'est la Vie !" http://memoriesblossom.blogspot.com/2010/04/cest-la-vie.html
Some of my blog articles re working for the Canadian National Railway CNR in Canada and Pepsi/Vita Soy in HK:
* http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2008/11/bi-weekly-series-friendsthe-railway.html
* http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2007/02/72-occupations-thirst-quencher-part-1.html
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
To Be or Not To Be ... Parent
Here are my comments on Best Actor's April 4th blog article "兒童節":
Committing to become a parent is like skiing down a double black-diamond. One can:
* contemplate and look at it for a long time (with nothing happening);
* change your mind and turn back (with possibility of revisiting); or
* take the plunge!!!
Of course, the ride down could be smooth, bumpy, full of screaming ... in short, very unpredictable. One can only hope the parent-to-be will still be in one piece at the bottom !!
Reference:
"兒童節" http://memoriesblossom.blogspot.com/2010/04/blog-post_04.html
Committing to become a parent is like skiing down a double black-diamond. One can:
* contemplate and look at it for a long time (with nothing happening);
* change your mind and turn back (with possibility of revisiting); or
* take the plunge!!!
Of course, the ride down could be smooth, bumpy, full of screaming ... in short, very unpredictable. One can only hope the parent-to-be will still be in one piece at the bottom !!
Reference:
"兒童節" http://memoriesblossom.blogspot.com/2010/04/blog-post_04.html
Monday, April 12, 2010
梅艷芳 Anita Mui - 孤身走我路 Departing alone
I just heard this song for the first time via Xiao Zhu's blog and felt quite moved by it ...
Migrating the You-In Blog
I spent almost 12 hours setting up a new blog for You-In here within Blogger !!! The migration of materials from the old site to here is going to take time !!!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Dealing with Jerks and Backstabbers
Here are my comments left on San Wen Ji's blog article "緣"
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微豆 Haricot said...
>> ... 第一個反應就是好難
I have the same initial reaction.
How can I be nice to jerks and backstabbers who harbour nothing but ill wills? The best I can do is to stay away from them - never mind abt "與他人結來生緣" !!!
聖嚴法師 is suggesting there is a third option to our instinctive stress response of Fright-Fight-or-flight.
Hmmmmm ... I still say: Stay clear of those who bring nothing but trouble !!
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"緣" posted by San Wen Ji at 10:17 PM on Mar 24, 2010
" ..... 如果某個人讓你覺得很討厭，可能是你過去世沒有和他結善緣，或根本結的就是惡緣；也可能是你在這一生中，沒有意願要與這類型的人結緣。但是，你討厭的人未必會真的對你造成不好的影響，那只是你主觀意識在作祟，導致你排斥、不願接觸對方；如果對方也有同樣的回應，就會造成互相敵對的局面，漸漸地，自己就變得沒有人緣了。
當我們遇到不喜歡的人時，不妨這麼想，就是因為自己前世沒有和對方結善緣，所以這一生他老是來煩你、整你、讓你難過，但這些困擾可以讓你有更多磨練的機會、成長的空間，你反而應該感謝他。即使你善待對方，對方還是對你不好，你仍舊要繼續與他結善緣，因為既然過去未曾與他結好緣，此生更應該與他結善緣。如果能有這種觀念，即使見到自己不喜歡的人，也會覺得對方是來成就自己的菩薩。
所以，如果別人對你不好，你仍然要善待他；如果別人傷害你，你仍然要一本初衷地照顧他；如果別人欺負你，你應該要原諒他，這就是“廣結善緣”。如此堅持下去，別人便會逐漸被你的態度所轉變。
也許此生你一直付出，都得不到對方正面的回應，但還是要繼續和他結善緣，這種緣叫“來生緣”。畢竟連草木、動物都有感情，更何況是人呢？只要心存善念不斷地付出，對方一定會轉變，即使今生不轉變，來生也會轉變。所以，只要抱持著與他人結“來生緣”的信念，便不會覺得和自己不喜歡的人相處是件苦差事了。（文：聖嚴法師）"
看這篇的時候，第一個反應就是好難。可，很相信這就是方法。
“沒有意願要與這類型的人結緣”，這很真。
Reference:
San wen Ji: "緣"
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微豆 Haricot said...
>> ... 第一個反應就是好難
I have the same initial reaction.
How can I be nice to jerks and backstabbers who harbour nothing but ill wills? The best I can do is to stay away from them - never mind abt "與他人結來生緣" !!!
聖嚴法師 is suggesting there is a third option to our instinctive stress response of Fright-Fight-or-flight.
Hmmmmm ... I still say: Stay clear of those who bring nothing but trouble !!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"緣" posted by San Wen Ji at 10:17 PM on Mar 24, 2010
" ..... 如果某個人讓你覺得很討厭，可能是你過去世沒有和他結善緣，或根本結的就是惡緣；也可能是你在這一生中，沒有意願要與這類型的人結緣。但是，你討厭的人未必會真的對你造成不好的影響，那只是你主觀意識在作祟，導致你排斥、不願接觸對方；如果對方也有同樣的回應，就會造成互相敵對的局面，漸漸地，自己就變得沒有人緣了。
當我們遇到不喜歡的人時，不妨這麼想，就是因為自己前世沒有和對方結善緣，所以這一生他老是來煩你、整你、讓你難過，但這些困擾可以讓你有更多磨練的機會、成長的空間，你反而應該感謝他。即使你善待對方，對方還是對你不好，你仍舊要繼續與他結善緣，因為既然過去未曾與他結好緣，此生更應該與他結善緣。如果能有這種觀念，即使見到自己不喜歡的人，也會覺得對方是來成就自己的菩薩。
所以，如果別人對你不好，你仍然要善待他；如果別人傷害你，你仍然要一本初衷地照顧他；如果別人欺負你，你應該要原諒他，這就是“廣結善緣”。如此堅持下去，別人便會逐漸被你的態度所轉變。
也許此生你一直付出，都得不到對方正面的回應，但還是要繼續和他結善緣，這種緣叫“來生緣”。畢竟連草木、動物都有感情，更何況是人呢？只要心存善念不斷地付出，對方一定會轉變，即使今生不轉變，來生也會轉變。所以，只要抱持著與他人結“來生緣”的信念，便不會覺得和自己不喜歡的人相處是件苦差事了。（文：聖嚴法師）"
看這篇的時候，第一個反應就是好難。可，很相信這就是方法。
“沒有意願要與這類型的人結緣”，這很真。
Reference:
San wen Ji: "緣"
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
2010 Olympics - US Canada Hockey Game final
I was in downtown Ottawa after the US-Canada hockey game final and ppl on the street were honking, yelling, and waving flags. Thank you Vancouver for hosting the Olympics !!!
Canada, we rock :)
(my comments on Horace's Feb 28 2010 blog)
Canada, we rock :)
(my comments on Horace's Feb 28 2010 blog)
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