Sunday, January 13, 2019
Monday, November 4, 2013
一生只想尋找一個肯挨麥記的女人 / The Mating Game: Alpha, Beta and Omega Males
The following are my comments in response to Inner Space's Nov 1, 2013 blog article entitled 蛇竇 闘蛇.
Context: In the video, a young man with limited income wishes he could find a HK woman who is not a material girl and is willing to go eat cheap meals with him at MacDonald.
Issue: Is there anything wrong with HK women wanting to marry "up" and to seek potential mates higher on the socio-economic scale?
My posted comments:
Haricot 微豆 said...I really like the first video and note that one of the posted comments says: "提醒香港女仔吾好太港女" (the meaning of which is completely lost in English translation LOL!!!).
Anyway, I agree with the comment but also recognize the reality in HK. Just like in the wild, the most endowed alpha male usually wins the right to propagate his genes.
So, do you think it's scientifically correct - I didn't say politIcally correct - to group men into alpha, beta and omega males in the context of competing for women in HK?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_male
Friday, November 1, 2013
天線電視機 / Rabbit Ears Television
(above comments left at Fresh Designer's Oct 23, 2013 post)
Thursday, May 2, 2013
"何不食肉糜？/ Let Them Eat Cake / Qu'ils mangent de la brioche"
 |
| Marie-Antoinette |
Below are comments I posted on SBB's blog article 財政司是中產
SBB:
If Financial Secretary John Tsang is really that oblivious to and out of touch with the conditions of the ppl, maybe the citizens of HK should give him a "何不食肉糜？/ Let Them Eat Cake / Qu'ils mangent de la brioche" award !!!
唐代周曇 有詩云：
蛙鳴堪笑問官私，更勸饑人食肉糜；
蒙昧萬機猶婦女，寇戎安得不紛披？
Ref:
http://www.xysa.com/quantangshi/t-729.htm 全唐詩 卷729_49 《晉門。惠帝》周曇
Haricot
財政司是中產Thursday, May 02, 2013 9:34:00 PM
++++++++++++++++++++++
Related links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_them_eat_cake
Saturday, April 20, 2013
The Life and Time of Margaret Thatcher
The following are my comments posted on Inner Space's blog tonight ....
http://mindnecessity.blogspot.ca/2013/04/thatcherism.html
Thank you for the informative blog article on the life and time of Margaret Thatcher who recently passed away.
No doubt, Thatcher was a controversial and an uncompromising leader for the United Kingdom.
However, my concern at the time was her alliance with Ronald Reagan to force the USSR into a corner during the Cold War thereby accelerating the doomsday clock toward mutually assured destruction (MAD).
I am glad I was wrong and my/our nightmare did not materialize.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
中國社會變遷
Haricot 微豆 提到...附上維基資料以供參考:
社會變遷可以分別劃分為如下的類型
*以規模的差異劃分為整體變遷與局部變遷；
*以變化方向劃分為進步變遷與倒退變遷；
*按性質區別劃分為進步變遷與革命變遷；
*按照人的參與程度劃分為自發變遷與有計劃的變遷。
社會變遷的內涵
1、器物生活的改變
2、社會制度的改變
3、價值觀念的改變
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Does silence mean consent?
無言是否代表默許同意 ?
Does silence mean consent?
Here is an explanation from: http://www.rakehellrow.com/bali/sexualassault/whatyeslookslike.html
Consent is a mutual verbal, physical, and emotional agreement that happens without manipulation, threats, or head games.
I agree with the "What does YES look like" interpretation in a sexual-assault context.
But how abt the silent majority in an open election with low voters turn-out?
Are they consenting to anything by refusing to cast a vote and express an opinion??
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
水壺傳
三個回应:
1. 我記得以前星光實業「紅A牌」是香港最出名的PVC 塑膠用品牌子。港產公司多是用「啤膠機」製做水壺， polyvinyl chloride 不單只是有臭味,而且毒性高,不過那時代社会科學知識程度低,也沒有什么所謂環璄健康保護了。
2. 學生時代我沒有零用錢買汽水,所以隨身携帶水壼,有點土頭土腦,被同學冠以「水壼仔」花名。現在我勤於跑步,運動時手携水壼, 壼不離口,冬天越野滑雪更用Camelbak Hydration System ,又高科技、又夠cool,脱胎換骨,可不是当年土頭土腦的「水壼仔」啊 :O
3. 過了來加拿大之後,習慣直接從(冷)水喉取水喝,除非是露營或出國旅行,煑沸水殺菌這回事倒不是常有發生。
微豆 20 August, 2012 10:11 PM
Monday, August 20, 2012
Dead Men Don't Talk
Context/issue: With all the recent shootings in Toronto, should parents teach their children to shut up instead of speaking up?
There are no easy answers. Here are my suggestions:
I always remind the young ones that "dead men don't talk", meaning: If you are dead, it doesn't really matter whether you are in the right or in the wrong.
For example: Don't throw your body in front of the driver who is running thru the red light, even tho you have the righ-of-way. Yield then take down the license plate.
Stand up for your principle, but choose a tactic/strategy to defend it.
Haricot August 21, 2012 11:01 am HK time
Sunday, August 19, 2012
PRC's Great Leap Forward 大躍進
 |
| Photo Credit: Wikipedia 大躍進 - 宣傳海報：「以鋼為綱，全面躍進」 |
The following are my comments in response to Space's blog article "是否政治正確？".
>> …..大躍進 …. 土法炼钢，练出来的大多数是废钢
Back in the 1950's, PRC's Great Leap Forward 大煉鋼 program was largely based on political ideology and little on science and technology.
There are lessons to be learnt. For examples: (1) Military revolutionists were not always the best decision-makers on S&T matters. (2) Blindly toeing the party line by officials (for genuine patriotic reasons or simply out of fear) actually hurt the country.
To be fair, the PRC has made some progress in the S&T areas since the 1950's. The current leadership really has no choice but to make the right investments in a highly competitive and globalized world.
As I have not watched TVB's broadcast, I would assume that the alleged 暗諷 is more against the ideologues of the 50's.
Related links: 大炼钢铁运动
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Freedom to Choose
 |
| Photo Credit: Wikipeida - A bottlenose dolphin breaching in the bow wave of a boat |
The following are comments I posted early today on Space's blog article entitled 是否虐待不人道？
+++++++++++
SBB:
On the other hand, dolphins in captivity are often trained/forced to perform for the entertainment of others. It's a master-slave relationship btwn human and a wild (as opposed to domesticated) species.
As to astronauts, Olympic Game medalists, film stars, scientists and other human beings achieving celebrity status, it's fairly difficult for them to avoid publicity these days. Show-casing his/her achievements is becoming part of the "other related duties" in a field he/she has chosen to begin with.
Dolphins in captivity have no choice.
++++++++++++
Link: http://mindnecessity.blogspot.ca/2012/08/blog-post_16.html
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Becoming a Bitter Old Man? Hopefully Not !!
"我好愛户外運動旅遊,在山徑叢林,跑步滑雪,都令我感到身在大自然間的快樂。希望將來人老,我不能走動,也会有一段快樂的回憶!! 年青時代,是需要創做身、心愉快的資本!!那么到了老就不會變成個酸酸的 bitter old man (or woman)." ..... Haricot 4/25/2012
Reference:
Fresh Designer 2012年4月22日 歡笑與快樂
Sunday, April 8, 2012
如意郎君 / A Woman's Ideal Man
对有d女人嚟講,男人其貎不揚，年過半百，衣著陳舊，週身無錢，口才全無，都無所謂,最緊要係人品老實,溫柔體貼。
Translation:
Often, it's not a man's age, outfit, income, or talk that are the most important, but rather, his honesty, integrity and gentleness to the woman he loves.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
桃姐
SBB:
I didn't know abt the movie 桃姐 till I read your comments and blog article.
The truth be known, most 桃姐 were fired as soon as the employer had found out the child had developed a strong attachment to the servant, and/or vice versa.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Conflict of Interests COI
Here are the comments I left at SBB's blog http://mindnecessity.blogspot.ca/2012/02/mr.html "Mr. Talkative cannot face the Truth" March 11, 2012:
SBB:
Public service executives must not involve in conflict of interests, but must also avoid the APPEARANCE /PERCEPTION of conflict of interests. 曾先生 would have been penalized if he were in Canada !!!
Ref: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
".... On the other hand, an individual could be penalized if he knowingly was responsible for an action which turns out to give rise to an appearance of a conflict of interest, although he does not know at the time the action was committed that it would create such an appearance .... "
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rp/aci04-eng.asp
安樂死 ? / The case of Robert Latimer
I left the following comments at http://mindnecessity.blogspot.ca/2012/03/tony-nicklinson-bbc-58-tony-nicklinson.html
SBB:
*** The following must not be considered as legal opinion in any shape or form ***
My understanding is that here in Canada, it is not illegal to commit suicide, but assisting someone or causing another person's death in the name of 安樂死 is still a criminal offence.
References:
"Robert Latimer still defends killing disabled daughter - Saskatchewan farmer says 'I know I was right' " CBC News Last Updated: Feb 17, 2011 9:08 PM ET
*http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/02/17
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Latimer
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Politics vs Policy:
".... When politicians start playing political games to grab power, the focus is shifted away from policy discussions, and the society will suffer.... "
Sunday, January 8, 2012
出身
Haricot: "出身" 是一個人的背景,但未必一定是潛力的顯示。
Anyway, the statement is general in nature and has nothing to do with the politics in Hong Kong.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
My Responses to Mind Necessity's Blog article "遊學"
http://mindnecessity.blogspot.com/2011/12/take-sabbatical-sabbatical-or.html
>> .... 第七日 祂就選擇休息
Traditionally, every seven years, professors are allowed to take a year off to do research, thus the term sabbatical leave. Similar to the religious tradition, they have a job to go back to.
>> ... 陳志雲 已經向無線電視辭職，並且得到接納。
If a person resigns, it is not a sabbatical, straightly speaking.
>> ... 中文叫作“退修”
Retreat can be undertaken any number of times by a group of employees who then go back to their jobs all refreshed with new ideas.
>> .... 直到西方文化東來，入侵中國固有的規律，城市才出現每工作六天給有一天休息 ...
入侵??? Even Chairman Mao wanted the industrialization of China. And it was the unions that demanded rest days for workers (and overtime pay if they have to work on weekends).
>> ... 近年在中國沿海大城市，已經推行一週五天工作
A country's productivity is measured by, among other indicators, how efficient resources are being utilized to produce goods and services in a SUSTAINABLE and ETHICAL manner. Obviously, locking children up in sweat shops and forcing them to work seven days a week will produce cheap goods. But the practice is neither ethical nor sustainable. On the other hand, well paid knowledge workers who spend only five days a week at the office will cost more but may contribute more to the long-term competitiveness of an economy. So, the number of working days by itself is not a good indicator of success/failure.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Long Lost Love
(Comments posted at Beer Flower's blog on Nov 28, 2011)
Sent from BlackBerry
Maslow's Hierarchy
But Maslow's hierarchy of needs still holds true for many ppl.
(Comments posted on Beer Flower's blog on Nov 28, 2011)
Sent from BlackBerry
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
掟煲 / Defriend
我個FB戶口一個月都唔開一次,都係用嚟做尋人廣告多。
我認為大家係網上雖然係匿名,但做人都仍要有文化,要有民風,互相尊重。傾唔埋咪唔傾囉,無需又講粗口,又登宣言。
係現實生活,我或者会疏遠某人,但係大庭廣众 defriend 掟煲就無做過,亦都覺得無必要。
Monday, July 25, 2011
Exercise - Blood Pressure & Heart Beats/Pulse Rate after a Long Run
For example:
After the long-run last Sunday July 24, 2011, the readings were:
- Blood pressure = 112/72
- Pulse = 39 beats per min
I suppose that's good news as high blood pressure leads to all kinds of health issue. But I wonder what causes the drop.
Sent from BlackBerry
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Exercise - Training for my 14th Running Marathon
Next week, the group I am training with will start doing hills, which should be fun lol !!
My goal is to narrow the gap btwn my PB (personal best) and the avg time of all 13 marathons.
Who knows, I might even surprise myself !!
Sent from BlackBerry
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Short-term Stay vs Long-term Commitment
Lapin: 如果可以在地方不同地方也留待一陣子，不是走馬看花，有少少家的味道，便好．
Haricot: Just my thoughts ….. The issue with short-term stay is that there is no long-term commitment. On the other hand, if you pick up skills and gain experience from the many different stops, then your contributions to the common good will be so much richer – if and when you decide to stay longer at one place, or with one project.
(ref: http://lelapinamoureux.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/%e5%9c%a8%e5%ae%b6%e5%8d%83%e6%97%a5%e5%a5%bd%ef%bc%9f/ )
Ghana - My next destination?
I saw this video clip on YouTube. Those surfboats and their handlers were amazing back in 1947. Are they still in operation today?
I want to go to Ghana !!!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
USA independence Day July 4, 2011
My pants shall be hemmed,
All ready for Uncle Sam;
Smartly casual I will dress,
Like going to summer camp.
:O
Sent from BlackBerry
Friday, June 24, 2011
Jessie J - Price Tag ft. B.o.B.
Lyrics:
Okay, Coconut man, Moon Heads and Pea
You ready
Seems like everybody's got a price,
I wonder how they sleep at night.
When the sale comes first,
And the truth comes second,
Just stop, for a minute and
Smile
Why is everybody so serious
Acting so damn mysterious
Got your shades on your eyes
And your heels so high
That you can't even have a good time
Everybody look to their left (yeah)
Everybody look to their right (ha)
Can you feel that (yeah)
We're paying with love tonight
It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag
Ain't about the (uh) Cha-Chang Cha-Chang.
Aint about the (yeah) Ba-Blang Ba-Blang
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.
Okay!
We need to take it back in time,
When music made us all unite
And it wasn't low blows and video hoes,
Am I the only one getting tired
Why is everybody so obsessed
Money can't buy us happiness
Can we all slow down and enjoy right now
Guarantee we'll be feeling Alright.
Everybody look to their left (yeah)
Everybody look to their right (ha)
Can you feel that (yeah)
We're paying with love tonight
It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag
Ain't about the (uh) Cha-Chang Cha-Chang.
Aint about the (yeah) Ba-Blang Ba-Blang
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.
[B.o.B]
Yeah yeah
Well, keep the price tag
And take the cash back
Just give me six strings and a half stack.
And you can keep the cars
Leave me the garage
And all I..
Yes all I need are keys and guitars
And its with in 30 seconds I'm leaving to Mars
Yeah we leaping across these undefeatable odds
Its like this man, you can't put a price on the life
We do this for the love so we fight and sacrifice everynight
So we aint gon stumble and fall never
Waiting to see this in the sign of defeat uh uh
So we gon keep everyone moving their feet
So bring back the beat and then everyone sing
It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag
Ain't about the (uh) Cha-Chang Cha-Chang.
Aint about the (yeah) Ba-Blang Ba-Blang
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.
It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag
Ain't about the (uh) Cha-Chang Cha-Chang.
Aint about the (yeah) Ba-Blang Ba-Blang
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.
[Jessie J -Outro]
Yeah, yeah
Oo-oooh
Forget about the price tag
(Source: 啤酒花™_J http://tanpohhoon.blogspot.com/2011/06/blog-post_22.html)
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Lost, Found, Not Returned ?!!
Haricot 微豆 提到...
When I was living in HK, there was no strong guidance as to what one should do. Some ppl speculated that the police would just pocketed whatever were brought into the station - less paperwork that way. That was before 1997.
Generally speaking, things are more above-board here in Ottawa. However, I still would not expect lost items to be returned to me every time, esp electronic gadgets.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Exercise - 20110622 Marathon Training
I was with the Marathon crowd and we ran 10K in slightly less than 60 min. This is a slower pace than the triathlon group I usually run with on Monday. The personal best (PB) of the group leader there is abt 3h09.
Everything else being equal, youth does have an advantage !!!
Sent from BlackBerry
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A Simple Life
I cannot spend my life worrying abt whether an accident would kill me tomorrow.
I can only deal with things that I have control over.
Meanwhile, I work hard and play hard and make my contributions.
And, if my book is closed suddenly, I will be generally happy with what have happened so far.
Perhaps I just want life to be simple.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Exercise - 20110615 Running + Cream Soda Float
So I went running in the searing 30 deg C temperature (hot by Canadian standard) and rewarded myself with a cream-soda float after!!!
Photo credit:
* I took this pic inside Dick's Dairy Bar after the run.
+++++++++++
Exercise Log:
Pace - Tempo minus
Heart - est 125-130 bpm
Time - abt 60 min
Distance - est 5-6 km
Started at Loblaws parking lot, to Expt'al Farm perimeter gate, across fields to Canal lock at Carleton University, return
30 deg C !! HOT !! Cream soda-float at Dick's after ~~COOL~~
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
Quotes of the day
"Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away."
- Haricot -
"Only in countries where women have rights, as opposed to being properties of others."
Sent from BlackBerry
Saturday, June 4, 2011
"Lavender Blue" by Gene Vincent
Comments left at Xiao Zhu's .....
【薰衣草藍】
Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green,
When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen.
Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so.
Call up your men, dilly, dilly, set them to work,
Some with a rake, dilly, dilly, some with a fork.
Some to make hay, dilly, dilly, some to thresh corn,
While you and I, dilly, dilly, keep ourselves warm.
Lavender's green, dilly, dilly, lavender's blue,
If you love me, dilly, dilly, I will love you.
Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly, and the lambs play,
We shall be safe, dilly, dilly, out of harm's way.
I love to dance, dilly, dilly, I love to sing,
When I am queen, dilly, dilly, you'll be my king.
Who told me so, dilly, dilly, who told me so?
I told myself, dilly, dilly, I told me so.
Related Links:
* Xiao Zhu's 慟 http://xiaozhu1979.blogspot.com/2011/06/blog-post.html * 「兩週一聚: 小朋友」之【兒童歌曲(二)】/ 「Bi-weekly Series: Children」 - 【Songs for Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers (2)】 http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2009/02/bi-weekly-series-children-songs-for_15.html
Sunday, May 22, 2011
re 美國負了一萬四千三百萬億元的國債
(http://mindnecessity.blogspot.com/2011/05/us14300000000000000-hk10440000000000000.html)
Haricot 微豆 said...
>> .... 美國是要在國內國外的巨額花費，去保衛民主，保持民主，保留民主，今天美國負了一萬四千三百萬億元的國債，可見民主是一個花費金錢的主義，民主選票是由要用鬪派得錢多，爭回來換回來買回來的....
There is no doubt the US economy is in bad shape and one can come up with many reasons, but I do not believe保衛民主，保持民主，保留民主are the key ones. A country's foreign policy involves more than fighting for ideology. Even during the height of the Cold War, when the US and its allies were fighting against communism, politicians knew they were fighting to preserve not just western style democracy but also control of the world's economy, resources and power. In that sense, it is similar to what China is doing now!!!
Haricot 微豆 said...
>> .... 全世界最大的民主國家 = 全世界最高的負債國家
Are you generalizing then that 民主 is equated with 負債 (i.e. not a good thing)?
I would submit that the United States' political system and its national/foreign debts cannot and should not be linked/represented by a one-one, cause-result type of simple equation.
In terms of population, I believe India is the largest democracy in the world.
Haricot 微豆 said...
>> ... 但是中國卻是美國國債的最大持有者（約23%），中國人民暫時沒有享受到美式民主，而美國也沒有償還的意願，即是：“你用膳 我付鈔？”
When China agreed to become the "lender", there was no stipulations as to how the US should or should not spend the borrowed money. So, I do not understand your logic: 中國人民暫時沒有享受到美式民主 ... “你用膳 我付鈔？”
It would have been very different if you had lent money to Uncle Sam, and had stipulated that 中國人民要享受到美式民主 in return !!!
the inner space said...
哈哈哈 Hari 兄：我只是說用錢去爭回來換回來買回來的民主不是真的民主。若你間接承認了美國的民主是用錢爭回來換回來買回來，哈哈哈哈哈哈！我也無話可說了！
the inner space said...
哈哈哈哈 Hari 兄：
全世界最大的民主國家 = 全世界最高的負債國家
我是由英文翻譯出來的 Highest democratic country = highest debt country
讓我改正翻譯：
全世界最高度民主的國家 = 全世界最高負債的國家
the inner space said...
哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈！hari 兄：“你用膳 我付鈔？”是中國人常講的話，意思不用細表矣。
而我寫：
中國卻是美國國債的最大持有者（約23%），中國人民暫時沒有享受到美式民主，而美國也沒有償還的意願，即是：“你用膳 我付鈔？”
最尾尾是個問號？
我是想不出道理來呢，遂向各方好友網友發問，祈望若有所悟，不嫌棄告訴我個中緣因。
Haricot 微豆 said...
Finally, I am not an economist and will let experts in that field to explain the root causes of the reported US$14,300,000,000,000,000 debt.
Just like the restructuring of a corporation that is close to bankruptcy, the share-holders, the lenders and the borrower will all have to come up with acceptable financial measures, as well as new terms and conditions.
I believe it is irrelevant to refer to the past lend-borrow transaction as 你用膳 我付鈔？because there were no stipulations on how the money should be spent.
However, it may be fair to use the 你用膳 我付鈔？challenge now as part of the pre-conditions for restructuring the debts.
But then, the US is not exactly like Greece !!
the inner space said...
哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈！ Hari 兄：
我在伸延閱覽做的其中一個連結：美國國債
有以下的資料：
財政年度末。美國國債十億美元
1950 。。。。257.4
1960 。。。。290.2
1970 。。。。389.2
1980 。。。。930.2
1990 。。。。3,233
2000 。。。。5,674
2005 。。。。7,933
2007 。。。。9,008
2008 。。。。10,024.7
2009 。。。。11,910
2010 。。。。13,562
可供閣下參考，看出有甚麽端倪！
re: 60歲之前唔俾女人食飽飯
Fresh Designer: ....老一輩的男人講過: 60歲之前唔俾女人食飽飯 ...
Haricot:
I think it was all abt control and power, similar to hostage taking.
In the old days, if a woman, as hostage to the man/husband/master, was always dependent on the latter for food, and by extension, lodging, comfort, and security, then the risk of the woman running away was much reduced.
I suppose a woman older than 60 would not be considered as "marketable" anymore and therefore not a flight risk. Beside, most men started to die off after 60 and they would need their women to help look after the family lineages and other affairs.
Those were the days !!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Priority Seats: What to do with rude and inconsiderate bus passengers?
The Attendant Card is a photo-ID card that identifies a person who, because of their disability, requires assistance while travelling on OC Transpo's regular services and therefore requires an attendant. This card will allow the cardholder to have an attendant travel with them at no charge on OC Transpo.
The Priority Seating Card assists a person who has a disability or medical condition rendering it difficult or impossible for them to stand in a moving vehicle. When shown as ID, the holder is given priority to sit at the front of the bus in the designated cooperative seating ares.
Hopefully, upon presenting the said cards to able-body passengers in the front of the bus, my Mom will be offered a seat. But what if a rude and inconsiderate bus passenger refuses to vacate his/her seat? What then? Should I throw the rule-book at this individual, or should I patiently try to "educate" this person on the spot?
I will find out soon enough !!
Harioct
2011-04-22
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Below are my comment and Fresh Designer's response re: the latter's 2011-03-31 blog article "天殘腳~" :
微豆: 新鮮兄 I hate to say this: When a society's civility 文明態度禮貌 is slipping away, the govt must start codifying and enforcing acceptable/unacceptable behaviours before the society passes beyond the point of no return. For example: In many SE countries, nobody stops for traffic lights anymore because there are little or no consequences for non-compliance.
新鮮人: haricot,我明白你的意思,但有些行為是道德上的操守,例如讓位給老人等,並不是可能白紙黑字的例入法律,這些要從教育開始, rather than 用刑法去規管!
(Link to Fresh Designer's article: http://freshdesigner.blogspot.com/2011/03/blog-post_31.html)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
「無大陸，香港食屎」: I Beg Your Pardon ?!!
"..... After watching the video of the tourist screaming at the camera「無大陸，香港食屎」and of the tour guide explaining her side of the story, I finally understand the problem is bigger than the structural weakness of the "shopping tours" industry. What we have here is a case of the newly-rich mainlander vs the hard-done-by Hong Kongnese, the former with an overblown ego and the latter a victimized self-image.
Since 1997, some of the ppl living in HK seem to have loss confidence in and identity of themselves. They feel resentful, rightly or wrongly, for not being appreciated and not being treated fairly. It is high time they find something unique that they can be proud of, a symbol, an icon, a collective accomplisment !!!
THERE IS NOTHING HONK KONGNESE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ABT THEIR HUMBLE PAST !!! THE PREVIUS GENERATIONS WORKED THEIR BUTTS OFF TO MAKE A LIVING OUT OF THESE BARREN ROCKS!!!
As to Mr. Newly-rich, a jerk will always be a jerk wherever he goes !!! "
Career Advice: Diversify early !!!
新鮮人:>> .... 我有很多很多工程出身嘅朋友,做十幾廿年專業,但由於大陸工廠不斷委縮,很多都面對失業問題,他們有返咁上下年紀,又做開好專門嘅行業,唔係話轉就可以轉的,
Haricot:>> .... I think you've nailed one of the career obstacles right there -- over-specialization. It's not just engineers in HK. Many of my Canadian colleagues in the science and technology S&T field are also facing the same problem. When the paradigm shifted, they found themselves too "old" to change career direction. Advice to next generation of engineers: Diversify early !!!!
Reference:* Fresh Coffee Shop: 生活隨想! 2011年3月1日
Monday, December 27, 2010
執輸行頭,慘過敗家 / Values and Principles, or the lack thereof
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 !!!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
US Federal Reserve System
(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
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
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
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 !!!
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
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
(Sourece: Wikipedia/Bison)
贏了又如何?
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
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 !!!
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
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
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 !
Sunday, August 29, 2010
If Love is All You Need, how about Accountability?
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
Friday, June 25, 2010
資料專家 - Blog friend "Space"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Comments to Kempton's "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 !!!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa
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
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"
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
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
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.
>> ... 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」??
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
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
HP SimpleSave Portable 320 GB Hard Drive
++++++++++++ (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
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Sunday, May 2, 2010
Reality-checks on: 大智若愚, 大愚若智 / 聰明多被聰明誤 / 傻人
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
Monday, April 26, 2010
On-line Tech Support
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Drifters
"... 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。
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
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
Migrating the You-In Blog
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Dealing with Jerks and Backstabbers
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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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Inner Space: Article 蛇竇 闘蛇.