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

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 !!!

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.

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/

Galloping Buffalo

Click here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Muybridge_Buffalo_galloping.gif

(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

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

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.

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 !!

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 !!

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.

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

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.

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.

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)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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 !!!!

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.

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 !!!

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.

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.

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）