12/31/2010

bye bye 2010

Another great year is coming to an end.  2010 has been very good to me, I have been to more weddings, some of my best friends since high school.  It was a great year career wise.  I have prayed at the temple, I have gone to the hospital with my grandma, I have been the best man 4th time.

oh, and I have finally met Ms. Cake.  Of course, we first met 5 years ago, but not really knowing her until this year.

2011 will be a great year, my brother will be wedded, and I will be one year older.  One thing I did learn from 2010 is that I am getting old now, my parents are getting old now, and I am not physically fit or attractive comparing to my young days, or maybe I have never been either when I was younger anyways.  But I have to work harder on that.

Goodbye 2010, you have been good to me!

12/28/2010

吾家有弟初長成

這個月初的某一個早上, 我弟問我,

"你行李有沒有空間?"
"有很多, 你要我帶什麼回來?"
"幫我帶一些喜餅"
"喔, 誰的?"
"我的"
"什麼? 你要結婚?"

就這樣, 我弟很迂迴的告訴我他要今年底要結婚.

當然, 很替他高興, 不過我沒幫家人結婚, 所以也不知道該做什麼.  帶著弟弟去買新的西裝, 新的領帶, 與其他行頭, 好像也只是我會做的東西.

這幾天睡得不好, 想來想去想到我過去這三十幾年到底有沒有做一個好哥哥? 好像很少有關心他的生活, 小時後雖然有玩在一起, 但有了同學之後, 好像又沒有那麼的親. 來加拿大的頭一年, 新的環境算是有一起渡過, 一起熬過, 但畢竟有自己的朋友, 自己的同學...

一直到去年搬回家住, 才有機會的關心他找工作的情況, 過得如何.  他和父親一樣是個沉默寡言的人, 但小時候很有創造力, 工作也很努力, 雖然會擔心他婚後的經濟狀況, 但非常替他開心.

我弟, 應該就是認識我最久的好朋友, 現在他要結婚了, 誰當我的BEST MAN阿!

12/23/2010

The Xmas Anxiety

It is almost the end of the year, after two years of never-ending emceeing, bestman-being and wedding attending.  It does not look like the wedding bandwagon is going to be empty anytime soon.  Even my own brother is getting married soon.

Luckily, so far, there are only 3 weddings I am attending next year, four more in Taiwan I won't be able to attend.

To all my friends who are getting married, already married, or married with kids, have a great holiday!

12/20/2010

陪娶台灣行

就這樣糊塗的回了台灣陪娶, 兩個從小長大的兩個好朋友, 今年先後定了終身. 時差沒時間調, 工作沒有停, 在台灣的時間像作夢.

看了幾遍兩人相遇,成長的影片, 還是感動, 因為知道他們走過的路.

見識到百桌大場面的婚禮, 歸寧時的禮節, 尤其是找路雞的使用方式.

那幾個高中的大男生, 南台灣亂晃, 好像回到十幾年前做一樣的傻事.

那個早結婚的大學好朋友, 和我分享創業的甘苦, 看他小孩的成長... 泡在溫泉裡, 說著說著, 十年, 二十年, 就這麼走過.

弟弟突然說要結婚, 好像有些措手不及, 看著這些朋友, 過十年, 二十年後, 又不知如何.

腦袋滿滿的記憶, 一下子也整理不出來, 也許有天, 也是泡在湯裡, 一點一點的隨水氣飄出來.

12/01/2010

Perfect 8

When I was single, group C married couples will always try to hook me up with single girls.  "Try" is the operative word, they will only probe you with questions like, "you like long hair?", "you like teachers?", "you like girl with no car?"... then, I would wait and wait for them to set a blind date... and nothing happens.

Of course, married couples have other priorities.  So, when they ask again, I would just politely tell them that I am not ready.  When I am ready, I would tell them that I need more time just to stop them from asking those silly questions.

There was this one time however, a married dude asked me, hey I have a cute single friend I can introduce to you.  I asked him to tell me more, he did a pretty crappy job at describing the girl (she is nice, is a good girl...), then he concluded that she is a 8, as in 8 out of 10.

Then I said, "get me a 10!"  He never tried to hook me up again.

I thought about this conversation a few days ago, and I thought, who am I to pick a 10 out of 10?  I am not a 10!

11/18/2010

Good Luck James - part 2

連續兩餐都是和最近結婚的好朋友吃飯, 不知怎麼想起自己幾年前寫的good-luck-james, 算算自己又老了幾歲, 又多了幾位結了婚的前女友, 現在只剩一位...

這個魔咒大概要到我自己結婚才會停止.

有時會想, 這些與我分手不到一年就結婚的前女友們, 到底是生理時鐘到了, 還是, 已經體驗過最差的男人, 見到好一點的男人就趕快訂終生, 好像股票止跌回升就馬上出售.  這是比較賤的朋友說的. 會安慰的朋友就說, 是因為她們錯過了最好的, 見了還不錯的男人就趕快訂終生.  好像股票過了高峰開始下跌, 就趕快賣出一樣.  

無論如何, 她們都過得幸福, 才重要, 至少, 我有些安慰...

11/12/2010

The German Restauranteer

Last month, I was enjoying lunch at a Japanese restaurant, when an elderly gentleman turned around and asked him what the characters mean on his tea cup.

I told him I do not know because they are written in Japanese, and I can't read Japanese.

After the meal, I asked the gentleman if he enjoyed his meal.  He said it was great except it was a little greasy, but he added, he has been spoiled with good food in his life.  This gentleman in his 80s, has been running restaurants since the 60s.

He spoke with an accent, and I asked him where he is from, he said Germany.  Then, he told me that he came to Canada in 1948 to work at a mill on Vancouver island.  Later, found himself owning a restaurant in downtown Vancouver, back in the 70s.

What is more interesting is that he told me the name of his first investment advisor, Peter Brown.  You see, Mr. Brown is the founder of Canaccord Capital, a TSX listed investment firm.

Talk to your neighbours during meals, you might find some really awesome stories.

11/08/2010

The gathering of BCD

A very good friend of mine a 2 day stay in Vancouver before flying back to Taiwan.  He is a married man with two kids now.  That would be a D friend.  My other friend is also married but without kids.  He would be a C friend.

Meeting up with these very good friends in different life stage is a very interesting thing.  We can talk about the politics in Taiwan, cars, watches, women, work...  But beyond that, it is hard to talk about their relationships with in-laws and raising kids.  I could just listen.

They all have different priorities in life, I won't be seeing them often.  I used to live with the D friend, we used to play video games together, I used to work out with the C friend, we used to have lunch often.  Not so much now.

With my best friends from high school getting married all in this year.  The A group friends will be getting very very small...

10/29/2010

八卦不是關心

人是八卦的動物, 看水果日報, 數字日報賣那麼好就知道了.

但如果發生在自己身邊的人,就更有意思了, 不管是朋友還是朋友的朋友, 還是不認識的人, 他們發生的事, 從工作順不順利, 和哪個人吵架, 感情有沒有著落, 有沒有新歡, 還是分手, 是不是有試著生小孩, 婆媳關係如何... 都是其他人討論的焦點.

我們會美名關心, 問你的事是因為在意你.  其實, 那是屁, 就算不在意的人我們也照樣關心.  而且真關心為什麼不直接關心當事人, 而是在背後關心? 要真關心就問問他過得怎麼樣, 需不需 要幫忙,還是當當他的垃圾桶, 聽聽他的抱怨.

聊八卦是爽的, 是用負責任的, 但是也是完全沒有價值的, 多真關心你的朋友吧!

10/21/2010

不團結的台灣人

人是很有趣的動物, 不能完全離開團體.  身在國外, 當然也會參與許多故鄉的社團.  很不幸的, 國外的台灣社團就是台灣的縮影, 有小圈圈, 有政治立場, 有八卦.  

當然, 熱血的義工很多, 但閒著沒事的人更多.

令人扼腕的是不團結. 常聽到, 他們都如何如何, 都是誰的錯. 都是從同一個地方來的, 但什麼都要分我們, 他們...

年初冬奧時, 看見紅色的加拿大國旗海, 每個人興奮的表情, 很難想像台灣會有同樣的景象出現, 光是自己的定位, 藍色還是綠色就吵不完.  很多一窩蜂的態度, 或只見眼前的利益, 都看得出來台灣人對未來多麼的不安, 不用說自己是不是台灣人, 或對台灣有何認同, 有錢賺, 或心情爽, 什麼都好說話. 無論是崇日還是韓毒, 台灣人好像喜歡的是外來的東西多, 自己卻很滿足的抱著隨時可被取代OEM的權利, 在工資低的地方幫大公司賺錢, 反正, 有錢賺就好.  

我母親覺得台灣人本質是好的, 只是被50年代的移民帶壞了, 我反而覺得台灣人本來就如此, 勤勞, 樂天, 但近視...

我以我是台灣人為榮, 但也為台灣人難過.

10/13/2010

The flower boy

On the most recent wedding, my best friend pointed at the flower I was wearing and asked, "how many flowers have you worn?".

For each wedding I have helped, I got to wear a flower, usually a rose on my chest.  To be honest, I don't remember how many I have worn.  On the list of things I have done in weddings, I have been the bestman, groomsman, videographer, emcee, setup, usher, sorta wedding planner, driver...

The only jobs I haven't done are probably pianist, photographer (will get to do that next month though), makeup artist, and bride's maid...

I kept some of the flowers, but after a few, I just couldn't remember whose weddings they belong to.

Weddings are fun, not just to attend, but to be part of it, the controlled chaos.  Between wine and flowers, applauses and slides, there are the newly wed, holding hands, and that is the closest thing to total happiness, and that is why I wear the flower.

10/08/2010

愛看戰爭片

我愛看戰爭片, 不是為了看像Saving Private Ryan血肉橫飛的畫面, 許多很冷牌的電影, 例如美國南北戰爭的Glory, Gettysburg, 不是阿湯哥的Last Samurai, 而是像黑澤明的影武士, 或天與地.

有許多動作片是很單次元的, 有好人, 有壞人, 最後好人贏了, 警察姍姍來收屍, 好人傷痕累累的抱著妹離開.  戰爭片不一樣, 尤其是有歷史背景的, 通常可以看見人性最好也是最糟的一面, 可以看見人類為了貪婪而用盡方式去殺對方, 同時, 也看見同袍之情, 為了生存, 願意為身旁的兄弟犧牲.

另外有武器, 有戰略, 有爆炸, 誰不愛看?

10/07/2010

The Killarney Saga

A friend said the guys from Killarney are weird.   He was right, a few years back, we were all unmarried, still playing video games. 

Things have changed though, 4 guys from Killarney are getting married in September and October, all in Vancouver.  Which means the weird guys from the east side are getting hitched in an amazing pace.  

Good for us!  I say!

10/05/2010

Older and Wiser

Another year as come and gone, like my friend said, every time when I am having a birthday party, it signified another year gone.

I wish everyone I know to stay healthy, live active life.

I also wish everyone to make their personal targets, at work, at school, at life.

And I will keep the last wish to myself.

9/29/2010

I am yours - Jason Mraz


Saw this guy in concert last year, this is a great song.  Actually, the whole album is pretty good!  Lucky is another great song from the same album
_______________________________________________
Well, you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but your so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks, now I'm tryin to get back
before the cool done run out I'll be givin it my best test
and nothin's gonna stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

But I won't hesitate no more,
no more, it cannot wait
I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
open up your plans and damn you're free
look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
listen to the music at the moment people dance and sing
Were just one big family
And it's our godforsaken right to be loved loved loved loved loved

So, i won't hesitate no more,
no more, it cannot wait i'm sure
there's no need to complicate our time is short
this is our fate
I'm yours

Scooch on over closer, dear
And I will nibble your ear

I've been spendin' way too long checkin' my tongue in the mirror
and bendin' over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
and so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I'd be sayin' is there ain't no better reason
to rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons
it's what we aim to do
our name is our virtue

But I won't hesitate no more,
no more it cannot wait
I'm yours

well open up your mind and see like me
open up your plans and damn you're free
look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
ah, la one big family
it's your god forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved

open up your mind and see like me
open up your plans and damn you're free
look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
ah, la happy family
it's our god forsaken right to be loved loved loved loved

it's our god forsaken right to be loved loved loved loved
listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
ah, la peaceful melodies
it's you god forsaken right to be loved loved loved loved

9/28/2010

Guys, show your dicks!

When I was shopping for cars back in Spring, I had consultations from lots of friends, guys had tons of suggestions, from european to japanese.  Girls on the other hand, had no idea why cars are big deals to guys, to some of them, cars are cars are cars.

The thing with cars and guys are simple.  A car is the extension of a guy's dick.

Never mind what a guy is telling you, how the job requires a more presentable car (that doesn't explain the 300hp), or safer car (that doesn't explain the highest speed of 250km/h), or they need to drive clients (that doesn't explain the 2 door coupe)...  he just wants a nice presentable part of himself.

That is why when a guy has the chance, he will get a 2 door car, preferably with more than 200hps, preferably black.  I have been trying to talk friends out of buying a crappy Audi TT, or a impractical Accord Coupe...

For those guys who have grown up, they will op into a SUV, because they are safer (not always), and give better vision (but many of them seats lying down, that doesn't give much vision).  All they are doing is to avoid buying the unavoidable Van for future family members, to preserve part of their manhood, SUV is their last resort.

For myself, I got myself a black, totally unreliable, not exactly fast coupe... hey, i want my dick to look good!  

9/21/2010

Grumpy older man

It is almost that time again, age is slowly creeping up on me.  Although I have been telling everyone I have met this year that I'm 33, it still sucks when I age.

It's not like I cannot feel it either, I get sleepy all the time before lunch after lunch, during and after conversations...

The worst effect is probably the grumpiness that comes with aging.  I mean I should become more patient and wiser.  But I'm finding myself getting frustrated more easily.

Frustrated at traffic, at pushy sales, chatty friends, speed of my computer.  

Of course there might be reasons other than aging causing my grumpiness.  

But getting older does kinda suck.  Especially when I always have feelings that when someone ages, it is the time to check if the person has accomplished enough.

I always feel under-accomplished, and that sucks!

9/15/2010

Kayaking marriage

My friend and her husband just came back from a 3 hour kayaking tour.  Ms. Cake asked her how it was.

She said it was exhausting, all the paddling with and against the current.  She wanted to quit a few times but knowing that her husband won't be able to paddle the kayak by himself, she soldiered on and survived...

Ms. Cake told me about the conversation and commented that it is a perfect metaphor for marriage as well.  The couple is on the same boat, with clear goal in mind, one cannot quit because the boat won't go anywhere with just one person paddling.

Beautiful analogy, I said, and I added, "they should have fun and enjoy the scenery on the way to their goal as well".  Like my married friends.

9/01/2010

其實我很不浪漫

最近不知道怎麼了, 面書上出現了一堆為女人寫的文章, "其實你不懂女人", "女人只要你的溫柔", "男人必看"... 光是看名字就很反感了.

今天早上, 看了女王的文章, 叫"他很不浪漫", 要不我拜讀過女王的文章, 我會把它當作靠腰文跳過去, 但女王至少還是兩性作家, 應該不會太靠腰.

看了以後, 就明白男生和女生成長的歷程, 曾經自己也是扮浪漫的小男生, 寫歌, 送花, 溫暖接送情. 不知道什麼時候開始, 會被罵, 被嫌, 不夠浪漫, 像根木頭.

其實, 我很不浪漫, 很少買花, 很少稱讚, 很少擺闊, 但我省下來計畫以後...

8/24/2010

An ad that makes one cry

New ad from Sony

This song is 15 years old by My Little Lover... such a great love story


歌手:JUJU
原唱:My Little Lover
作詞:KATE
作曲: 藤井謙二・小林武史
歌名:Hello,Again~昔からある場所~
   Hello, Again~從以前就存在的地方~ 


いつも 君と 待ち続けた 季節は
何も言わず 通り過ぎた
雨はこの街に 降り注ぐ
少しの リグレットと罪を 包み込んで
總是與你一起等候的季節
無言地 就這麼過去
落在這座城市 
包覆了 些許的悔恨與罪


泣かないことを 誓ったまま 時は過ぎ
痛む心に 気が付かずに 僕は一人になった
就在絕不哭泣的誓言裡 時光逝去
當作痛的心不曾察覺時 我成了孤獨的一個人


「記憶の中で ずっと二人は 生きて行ける」
君の声が 今も胸に響くよ それは愛が彷徨う影
君は少し泣いた? あの時見えなかった
「在記憶裡 我倆可以永遠一起活下去」
你的聲音 如今迴盪在心底 有如愛情徬徨的身影
你是否也有些許的哭泣? 當時我沒能看清楚


自分の限界が どこまでかを 知るために
僕は生きてる訳じゃない
探索自己的極限在哪裡
那並非我活著的目的


だけど 新しい扉を開け 海に出れば
波の彼方に ちゃんと"果て"を感じられる
但是只要推開新的一扇門 來到大海
就可以清楚感覺海浪的彼方 "盡頭"的存在


僕は この手伸ばして 空に進み 風を受けて
生きて行こう どこかでまためぐるよ 遠い昔からある場所
夜の間でさえ 季節は変わって行く
我要伸長手 朝天空前進 迎風而行
總會在某處再次遇見 那早已存在的場所
即使是夜晚 季節也不曾停止轉換

雨は やがて あがっていた
終於停了


「記憶の中で ずっと二人は 生きて行ける」
君の声が 今も胸に響くよ それは愛が彷徨う影
君は少し泣いた? あの時見えなかった
「在記憶裡 我倆可以永遠一起活下去」
你的聲音 如今迴盪在心底 有如愛情徬徨的身影
你是否也有些許的哭泣? 當時我沒能看清楚

8/11/2010

Dslr is not cool anymore

One of the benefit of using facebook is that u will get most updated gossip about your friends lifes, break ups, status changes and picture, tons of pictures. I for one loves to post pictures I take, started back in canon sd100 days, continued on fb with my dslr last year.

I thought it was cool until I see almost everyone are posting pictures of food, travel, weddings, pets, kids... With their spanking new dslr.

Which makes dslr officially uncool...

Btw, one of the facebook mom is very interesting, she kept on picture bomb everyone with her kids pics, then posted "please don't forward my kids pics", then post more kids pics, doesn't she know facebook is public?

8/04/2010

三十下的爛咖?

最近在台灣有位年輕有為的企業家說台灣三十歲以下的人都很爛. 身為三十以上的我, 當然沒有意見.  不過這種分配方式, 有點像三十以上未婚女士是敗犬, 二十後的年輕人是草莓族, AB血型是怪咖...

不過想想, 哪一個長輩不會說, "我們那時候哪有這麼好, 都是穿麻布袋, 光腳上課...", 或是"現在年輕人都...", 還是, "我們那時候的... 比較好...", 都是五年級罵六年級, 現在換六年級罵七年級...

我保證以前二年級也是罵屬於嘻皮年代四年級罵好玩的, 所以三十下的爛草莓不用擔心, 等到九年級的出社會, 你就有機會搖頭擺腦的說, "現在的年輕人阿... 都不如我們當年, 我們那時候的電腦只有Qua-core, 只有3g, 只有1080p的電視可以玩wii..."

7/27/2010

Why u should not owe money on a credit card

Lengthen of time it will take to pay off $3000 of outstanding credit card debt at 18% interest rate by making only the minimum payments: 14 years, 9 months. Amount you will pay in interest: $2350. In othet words, if you owe this money when your kid is born, your kid would be going to university next year and you should be able to pay one semester tuition... Wonder why credit card companies are good buys even when times are bad?

7/26/2010

So long partner....

Just watched Toy story 3 over the weekend.  It is amazing to see myself grew up over 15 years but the old gang has never aged a day.

What is more amazing is that Pixar can pump out one great film year over year.  Not only the graphics but the story as well.  I thought Wall-E was good until I saw UP, then I saw ToyStory 3.

Andy has grown up and so have I, it is time for the gang to move on.  So long partner!

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
Yeah, you've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
If you've got troubles,I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and can see it through
Cause you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you
The way I do, it's me and you
Boy, and as the years go by
Our friendship will never die
You're gonna see it's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

7/21/2010

鼓聲若響-陳昇

作詞:陳昇 作曲:陳昇 編曲:China Blue 演唱:陳昇&黃連煜
阿爸你甘也有塊聽 聽到阮用心唱的歌聲
嘸管落雨天 或是風颱天 阮是跑江湖的藝人
阿娘你甘也有知影 阮置咧外頭真正打拼
嘸敢來耽誤 當時的詛咒 袂乎你親戚頭前嚥氣

若聽到鼓聲 阮的心情較快活
攀過了一山又一嶺 演唱阮甜蜜的歌聲
若聽到鼓聲 阮的心情會快活
沒疑誤環境的拖磨 唱出阮悲情的歌聲

心愛的你甘也會諒解 阮會來離開是不得已
三餐著要吃 嘸通來畏寒 想到你嘸敢來哭出聲

若聽到鼓聲 阮的心情會快活
攀過了一山又一嶺 演唱阮甜蜜的歌聲
若有聽到鼓聲 阮的心情會沉重
跳著嘸情願的屁股花(舞步) 全為你風流的人客兄

若聽到鼓聲 阮的心情就快活
拿出阮俐落的本領 演唱阮哀怨的歌聲
若有聽到鼓聲 阮的心情就快活
嘸要當做阮風度輕浮 全望你熱情的人客兄
歌聲真迷人 阮的心情是暗淡
日日夜夜塊作夢 返來去 我溫暖的故鄉
---------------------------------------------------
超級有味道的歌, 年輕人還唱不出其中的味道.

7/20/2010

Freedom is overrated... sometimes

A guy friend who is about to get married admit to me that he is a little scared.  He said he has been by himself for  all these time, it will be hard to adjust to a non-single life.

I told him that the freedom he is afraid to lose was never there in the first place.

My friend looked puzzled, so I continued.

"Just imagine how your friend will be different, will you be hanging out with different friends?  Will you be doing different things if you are single?"

More then likely you won't, if you are a person who are used to watching PPS at home, you will still do that, if you are a person who plays basketball with your friends, you will still do that.  The illusion of a "choice" if you are single is just an illusion, because if you are not that person who does other crazy things, that is just not you.

Freedom is overrated... sometimes...

7/08/2010

Husband store - joke from the net

The Husband Store

 A store that sells husbands has just opened where a woman may go to choose a husband from among many men. The store is composed of 6 floors, and the men increase in positive attributes as the shopper ascends the flights.

 There is, however, a catch. As you open the door to any floor you may choose a man from that floor, but if you go up a floor, you cannot go back down except to exit the building.

 So a woman goes to the shopping center to find a husband.

 On the first floor the sign on the door reads:

 Floor 1 - These men have jobs.
 The woman reads the sign and says to herself, "Well, that's better than my last boyfriend, but I wonder what's further up?"

 So up she goes.

 The second floor sign reads:

 Floor 2 - These men have jobs and love kids. The woman remarks to herself, "That's great, but I wonder what's further up?" And up she goes again.

 The third floor sign reads:

 Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love kids and are extremely good looking. "Hmm, better" she says. "But I wonder what's upstairs?"

 The fourth floor sign reads:

 Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love kids, are extremely good looking and help with the housework. "Wow!" exclaims the woman, "ver tempting. BUT, there must be more further up!" And again she heads up
 another flight.

 The fifth floor sign reads:

 Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love kids, are extremely good looking, help with the housework and have a strong romantic streak. "Oh, mercy me! But just think... what must be awaiting me further on?" So up to
 the sixth floor she goes.

 The sixth floor sign reads:

 Floor 6 - You a re visitor 3,456,789,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at The Husband Store and have a nice day

7/04/2010

話從前...

這幾次與朋友的聚會變得有點奇怪, 好像大家聚起來都是在話從前, 說誰的是非.  那感覺很難形容, 好像自己的某個部分被質疑, 或是被攻擊, 最主要是朋友的討論到結果, 就是問我, "你為什麼要跟他要好?", 我還不知道怎麼回答好.

但他們的遭遇已經算好了, 而且他們也是用了相當長的時間, (這些是當年被我割地賠償的朋友), 才知道當年的我是什麼感覺.

但說得越不是, 我並不覺得越開心, 反而覺得自己的過去某種程度上被否定.

也許, 我應該要開心, 朋友還是朋友, 他們也是希望我過得好... 但可以不要再恭喜我解脫了嗎? 那已經是好久以前的事了, 可以恭喜我有新的開始!

6/28/2010

新郎平均年齡33.9歲

週末的時候, 在msn上遇到父親, 跟他報告今年底會回台灣參加好朋友的婚禮, 順便報告他兒子也老大不小了, 父親說不會阿33歲在台灣很受歡迎. 隔天早上就收到他的來信...
-------------------------------------------------
在台灣新郎平均年齡33.9歲

結婚人數減 初婚年齡創新高
2010-06-27
新聞速報
中央社
晚婚現象明顯,內政部統計,去年平均初婚年齡新郎31.6歲、新娘28.9歲,均較民國97年增加0.5歲,是歷年新高。去年初婚人數大幅減少,40年來首度跌破20萬人。

若統計去年結婚者年齡,包含初婚與再婚,去年新郎平均年齡33.9歲、新娘為30.3歲,與97年比較分別增加1歲及0.8歲。

去年實際結婚對數11萬6392對,較97年大幅減少3萬2033對。內政部分析,主要是去年適逢經濟不景氣、失業率提高以及孤鸞年,降低結婚意願所致。

內政部觀察,去年結婚人數大幅減少,主要是初婚人數驟降所致,屬於初婚的新郎及新娘40年來首度雙雙降至10萬人以下。

去年女性人口的初婚率為千分之27.6,較男性的千分之25.3高出2.3個千分點,兩者分別較97年驟減9.1及10.7個千分點。

國人越來越晚婚。去年平均初婚年齡新郎為31.6歲,新娘28.9歲,均較97年增加0.5歲,創新高紀錄。其中新郎以30至34歲者3萬5280人占36.94%最多,新娘以25至29歲者4萬3275人占43.75%最多。

去年結婚新人,新郎及新娘均為台灣籍者占81.3%,一方為大陸及港澳地區者占11.3%,一方為東南亞國籍者占4.8%,其他國籍者占2.5%。

觀察去年的再婚情況,平均再婚年齡新郎為44.7歲,新娘38.4歲,分別較97年增加1.2歲及1歲,也是創新高紀錄。女性再婚率僅千分之9.4,仍遠低於男性的千分之24.1,但男性再婚率已呈逐年遞減現象。

內政部分析,近年來女性再婚率約為男性的4成,未滿30歲女性再婚率雖高於男性,但35歲以上年齡組的離婚或喪偶女性再婚率遠不及男性,且隨年歲的增加落差愈大。
-----------------------------------------------------------

雖然知道是好意, 但感覺是壓力(只剩一年多?), 尤其知道我的大堂弟明年要結婚,.  仔細讀過壓力更大, 33.9歲有包括再婚的... 初婚(新名詞)年齡為31.6歲.... 哎呀.... 其實, 我父母算給的壓力小了, 母親不愛小孩, 不贊成婚姻, 父親不表示意見, 只有祖父母比較有期待.  知道了, 但這事, 不急...

6/24/2010

Blessed...

Ever since I started dating Ms. Cake, my friends have been very happy for me. Of course, my policy has always been pretty open book on my own relationship. They know how things are going, usually.

As of recently, my friends have been updated that things have become official, I get a lot of "congratulations!" from friends, maybe it is because they like Ms. Cake. Or, maybe, it is because it has been a really long time for me. One of my best friend commented, "it must have been your longest single break", I counted 1.5 years, longest since 1996.

Some friends kept on asking, "you must be so happy!"...

YES I AM!

Ms. Cake is worth the wait, even though I am not into sweet...

6/22/2010

給親愛的c咖朋友

請不要誤會, 我不是討厭你們, 只是你們的生活重心跟我不大一樣, 另一半比較重要, 也不是代表我們不再是朋友, 我覺得你應該多花時間與另一半計畫未來. 所以, 我不會因為你們放我鴿子, 玩無聊的home趴遊戲, 抱怨另一半, 一直給我看小孩/小狗照片而不開心.

其實, 我是羨慕你們的, 你們在人生的另一階段, 所以, 如果有困難, 還是可以讓我知道.

不過, 要提醒你們, 現在的離婚率那麼高, 你們的婚禮我大概也都有參與(如果不是我主持的話), 不要忘了當時的承諾, 祝你們百年好合!

6/17/2010

Oh sh$t! I'm going to be rich!

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
TELEX / COMPUTER DEPARTMENT
TINUBU SQUARE
LAGOS - NIGERIA


CABLE:  CENBANK NG
CONTACT NUMBER: 234-8139736319       (24 HOURS)
PRIVATE EMAIL:  pauldouglasadb@yahoo.cn

URGENT

DEAR SIR,

MY NAME IS MR. PAUL DOUGLAS OF THE TELEX / COMPUTER DEPARTMENT OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA. I AM SENDING THIS PRIVATE E-MAIL BASED ON THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE TRANSACTION. PLEASE I WILL LIKE TO ADVISE THAT IF AFTER GOING THROUGH MY PROPOSAL AND YOU DO NOT ACCEPT IT, KINDLY KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.

I AM STILL IN SERVICE WITH THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN) AND I WOULD NOT LIKE TO LOSE MY JOB. AS I FOUND OUT THAT YOU ALMOST MET ALL THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF THE CBN IN RESPECT OF YOUR CONTRACT PAYMENT. YOUR PROBLEM IS THAT OF INTEREST GROUPS. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN YOUR PAYMENT AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE MERELY DOING PAPER WORK WITH YOU AND THAT EXPLAINS WHY YOU RECEIVE EMAIL AND PHONE MESSAGES FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN NIGERIA EVERYDAY.

THEIR WHOLE GAME PLAN IS TO FRUSTRATE YOU INORDER FOR YOU TO ABANDON THE CONTRACT PAYMENT AND THEN THEY WILL BE COMFORTABLE AND FREE ENOUGH TO TRANSFER THE CONTRACT FUNDS INTO THEIR OVERSEAS ACCOUNT.  HENCE, YOU HAVE LOST TRUST ON WHOM TO BELIEVE TO BE GENUINE. TO SUM IT UP, I WISH TO ASSURE YOU THAT WITH MY POSITION HERE IN THE TELEX DEPARTMENT I CAN PUNCH THE COMPUTER AND CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT STRAIGHT WITHIN FIVE (5) WORKING DAYS. FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE TO LET ME KNOW HOW MUCH YOU WILL GIVE ME AT THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS DEAL.

FINALLY, YOU WILL HAVE TO ACCEPT TO KEEP THIS TRANSACTION STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL, IF YOU ACCEPT MY PROPOSAL, KINDLY GET BACK TO ME IMMEDIATELY ON MY ABOVE PRIVATE MAIL, pauldouglasadb@yahoo.cn OR PRIVATE

NUMBER: 234-8139736319

EVEN IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT MY OFFER, I WILL SINCERELY ADVISE YOU TO FIND TIME YOURSELF TO COME AND REGULARIZE YOUR DEFECTIVE DOCUMENTS INSTEAD OF FRUITLESS EXCHANGE OF FAX MESSAGES WITH OFFICES HERE.

WHEN REPLYING THIS EMAIL, PLEASE RE-CONFIRM YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE

NUMBERS, AND EMAIL ADDRESS.

REGARDS.

MR. PAUL DOUGLAS.

6/15/2010

轉載候文詠-我們這一班

侯文詠 Houwenyong's Notes
我們這一班...Share
 Today at 2:17am
前幾年國中的國文教科書開始收錄我的作品。

那時唸國中的兒子跑回來問我:爸,同學要我問你,你寫的那一課到底要考什麼?

我說:唉呀,我生平最痛恨考試的,我怎知道要考什麼?

考完試,我靈機一動,請兒子把考卷拿回來也讓我考,結果我只考了八十幾分。

兒子說:爸,你完了,我們班二十幾個人你只排名十幾。

這件事讓我覺得考試真是可怕。無獨有偶,我最近發現有人也有跟我一樣的經歷。

大陸的年輕作家韓寒做讀者寄來的他的文章大閱讀(考試的一個項目)只拿了沒幾分。

比我還慘的是的,我錯的多半是文法比較、修辭、辭義之類的題目,韓寒是連作者主旨都答錯了。

我鬆了一口氣,顯然把古今中外的作者組成一班來考國文的話,我下面應該還有人墊底才對!

6/12/2010

是水還是樹?

有個心理學家是這麼說的, 兩個人的相處可以向兩滴水, 或是兩棵樹, 兩滴水的人可以融在一起, 時時刻刻不分離, 你的手機是我的, 我的內褲你也可以穿. 兩棵樹的人, 就需要各自的空間, 才能呼吸, 才能成長.

講的很有理, 但這是不是代表一滴水和一棵樹, 沒辦法在一起? 水可以灌溉樹, 不是很好嗎?

選什麼?

第一門風
第二祖公
第三秀才郎

以前臺灣選女婿的條件

6/11/2010

New restart

With career back on track, new phone, new car, new relationship. A restart, life is good again!

5/30/2010

Foxconn and Apple - a business story

On the same day when Apple surpassed Microsoft to become the biggest tech company in USA, an employee of foxconn, a Taiwanese company that makes majority of apple components, ended his young life. The 11th suicide of the year.

I am not going to comment on apple and foxconn's treatment of employees, nor am I going to comment on the working conditions in some parts of asia.

The CEO of hon hai, the parent company of foxconn, Terry Guo, is the riches man in Taiwan, most of his fortune has been manufacturing for big us electronic companies, like Dell, Hp, apple...

He has tens of thousands workers in china with 24 HR shifts, but how much does he make on each iPhone he made for apple? $50? $100?

Apple charges $699 on iPhone. Yes, apple might have higher overhead, but who is the winner in this deal?

5/22/2010

兩朵花的故事

十幾年前, 我在開課教折紙玫瑰時,認識了兩朵花.

多年後, 一位已經有穩定的工作,結了婚, 另外一位對自己的工作很不開心, 感情也沒有著落. 也許是她們的際遇不同, 有一點可確定的是, 十幾年前, 一位是容易開心的, 另一位是容易不開心的.

現在, 容易開心的還是開心, 容易不開心的還是不開心...

5/17/2010

The test of innocence

It happened again, this time at a busy intersection. A middle age man walked up to me, with change in his right palm, he asked, "you have some change?", he explained that he needs to eat, no, not only him, he and his fiancée need to eat. I looked at him, his face is red, probably from the sun, he is also holding some kind of device in his left hand.

Last night, I ran into a lady by 7-11, she was holding a bike helmet, claiming she needed a ride to 2 blocks away, she said she has been tricked by 2 men who said they would take her for beer, but instead took her last $10. She needed to get to her bike. This Caucasian lady actually said in Cantonese, "I am not going to rob you". Of course, I didn't take her. She did not have helmet hair...

"I am diabetic and bipolar", the man added, and he pointed at his heart.

The pedestrians around me either pretended not to be interested, or were looking at my reaction.

I must have looked puzzled, some of things he said don't make sense, how can a man asking for change on a street corner have a fiancée? From the man's desperate face, maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe the device is for dialysis, I have a grandmother who needs dialysis...

I could have given him some change, my left hand can feel the toonies/loonies in my left pants pocket. I always have, in the past. Especially the time when I was working in downtown area, in the 5 min walk from bus station to office, panhandlers are frequent encounters.

They always had different reasons, they were lost, they need bus fare, I usually gave them a dollar or two. They walked away. I usually never saw them again.

Until a time, when the same lady who claimed to be lost a few weeks before, asked me for change for "bus fare". I shook my head and walked away. I felt awful...

This time, I bit my lip, shook my head, looked away and walked away. I felt awful...

5/14/2010

給希臘人的公開信

【歐洲政治/2010.05.04/希臘危機/德國】TEWA編按:在歐盟各國討論如何救援希臘瀕臨破產爭論聲中,今年三月五日一封由 德國明星週刊(Stern)作家Walter Wüllenweber 給希臘人措辭嚴厲的公開信,引起希臘人與德國人的論戰,作者認為是良性的反應,為歐洲公眾論壇影響歐盟政策創先例。請先看這封公開信的內容,很多地方值得我們警惕!信結束後,TEWA編譯將原作者對希臘人的反應所作的回答,有一個簡單的陳述:


《德國人不爽》

明星週刊(Stern)作家Walter Wüllenweber 給希臘人的公開信

親愛的希臘人!
你 們都知道:在你們童年和青少年時,買第一輛自行車,買第一台收音機及第一次度假,總有這麼一位阿姨...會在你們的撲滿(儲蓄罐)塞幾張鈔票。她們沒要求甚麼的,只要你們有時候說聲謝謝就好了。親愛的朋友們,此信就是給你們錢的阿姨寫給你們的。別擔心,你們不必說謝謝。我們唯一希望的是:請你們站在我們立場來看一下情況。

自1981年以來,超過 29年,我們屬於歐盟同一個家庭。沒有其他的歐盟家庭成員在這段時間用這麼多錢投入共同基金, 我們,投了淨 2000億歐元。而沒有一個人享受到的比你們多,你們收到的總金額是1000億歐元。其中大約一半是我們所傾入歐盟共同基金的,你們大大方方的給消化掉了。換句話說:在統計上,我們多年來,提供你們每個希臘 人,從嬰兒到老人,每位超過 9000€。就這麼簡單,蠻不錯的,對不對?從來沒有一國的國民自願地在如此長的時間,如此慷慨的支持另一個國家的國民。

你們是我們真正最親愛的朋友。 (編按:暗示是最貴的朋友)

你們從來不問,這些年來我們是怎麼過的。我猜想,即使今天,你們也不會有這個念頭,想知道我們在擔憂一些什麼。但我還是要說給你們聽:我們的馬路是像古建築充滿坑洞,因 為我們 沒有足夠的資金進行維修。圖書館和游泳池已經關閉。一些城市在夜間關閉一半的路燈,因為他們付不起電 費。與你們相反,歐元引入後,我們的工資實際上已經不再上漲。現在我們甚至還得救援你們希臘人。要對你們關心,那誰又會來關心我們?

你們 確實贏得我們的不信任:在夏天,上帝賜給你們那塊美麗的土地上,經常傳出火燒山,然後你們要求我們的消防部門支援,因為你們自己無法把火滅掉。你們大家都想當公務員,但沒有人願意繳稅。如果只是一部分我們在過去幾個星期裡看到報導是真的, 那麼,你們顯然只有當你們收到紅包時,才會想要工作。特別是你們的醫生和醫院的工作人員。你們在只要有機可乘的地方就相互欺騙對方。 這與我們無關。但是,許多年來,你們也欺騙了我們。這對於我 們而言,就不能置之度外了!

你們收取歐盟橄欖樹的補貼款的橄欖樹種植面積比你們國家面積還大。很明顯,你們很會作 帳,為符合加入歐元國的穩定條款,你們有系統地,很技巧地偽造你們的帳簿,讓布魯塞爾沒有發現任何毛病。事實上你們不配加入歐元同盟國。儘管你們的偽造數據讓你們加入歐元區得逞,但加入後,從來沒有達到歐元穩定標準。為了誇大經濟數字, 2006年,你們用了自己覺得一個不錯的花招,將洗錢,販毒和走私所得收入,計算進當年經濟生產毛額。

幾十年來,你們花的錢比你們工作所得還多,理所當然靠犧牲他人來生活, 不斷靠欺騙伎倆 - 這不可能永遠順利。最終,房子倒塌。現在,嚴格說來,你們國家已經破產了。

請你們不要抱任何幻想。如果梅克爾(Merkel)承諾,“不會將希臘置之不理”這是為了我們德國總理及我們德國人而非為你們希臘人。我們唯一擔心的是我們自己的未來。只是很不幸的:我們和你們環環相扣。如果你們沉下去,也會把我們拖下水的。舉例來說,多年來累積的債務3000億歐元。其中約 300億歐元,屬於德國儲蓄戶以購買政府債券的形式存在德國各銀行的。你們會有償還的一天嗎?

因為你們的緣故,歐元跌到谷底。我們正面臨通貨膨脹。這意味著,德國人為了未來生活規劃的儲蓄存摺或及壽險會越來越不值錢。儲蓄或投資本來就與你們不相關,這樣的想法對你們當然是陌生的。你們情願把歐元切割。在歐盟,希臘人是把薪資的絕大比例用於 消費的一個民族。

歐盟領導人雖然決定,開始時,你們不能接受直接資助。但你們需要幫助。而在歐盟所謂的幫助,最後就是錢,更確切地說,就是我 們的錢。

慢慢地我們德國人瞭解了:首先,我們要拯救銀行,現在我們需要拯救希臘人,再來又要搶救那些〝豬經濟〞的國家,“PIIGS,葡萄牙(P),意大利(I),愛爾蘭(I),希臘(G),西班牙(S)。很例外的,專家 們一致認為上述國家之一破產的話,將是一個悲劇,雖然這群專家把銀行危機當作是一個喜劇。

聰明的德國憲法學者在引進歐元之前已經提出警告:沒有政治聯盟的經 濟聯盟不能成功運作的。他們是對的。現在我們看到了戲劇性的民主赤字。我們德國人都依賴於希臘政府的各項決定。但是,我們無權選舉這個政府。你們希臘人可以選擇這個政府,但你們卻有完全不同的利益考量。我們希望貴國總理巴班德里奧(Georgios Papandreou) 至少能貫徹他的節約計劃。如果他的改革計畫再加一碼會更好。但很明顯 的,你們不願意去做。你們還是做你們經常在做的事:就是罷工。上週公務員,下週各行各業舉行總罷 工。

親愛的尊貴的希臘人,如果下週你們上街頭,罷工,然 後示威,事實上你們不是在抗議貴國政府,而是針對我們而來。你們把經常向你們伸出援手而且還要繼續拯救你們的Zorro揣了一腳。

親愛的希臘稅務人員,請不要在下週罷工,該是去追討那些逃漏稅的百萬富翁稅款的時候了吧?一直到現在,你們對那些大戶視若無睹得到不少好處呢。

親愛的希臘醫生,請不要在下週罷工,好好治療你 們的病人吧。從現在起,請不要收紅包。請老實按收入報稅。是的,那麼你們買寶時捷(Porsche)會耽擱了一年。但你們鐵定能挺過去的。

親愛的希臘退休長者,我們工作一輩子,拿到的養老金不到平均收入的百分 之四十。我們在OECD排名倒數第四。誰是第一名?答對了:就是你們!你們享受的退休金超過平均收入的百分之95。為達成此目的,你們又有竅門:你們退休金不是用一生所有工作年數收入來計算,而是只有用最後3至5年的工作所得來計算。因此,最常 見的是,你們的雇主在你們退休前把你們的薪資大加 碼。用我們贊助你們將近30年的錢,享受一個更舒適的退休生活,這不是我們能負擔得起的。你們認為公平嗎?所以,親愛的希臘養老金領取者:就是你們這一代,造成目前這 樣的困境。現在請你們止步,不要去示威,讓你們的政府 好好去運作節約計畫吧。

還有,親愛的希臘國民,請不要把此次的災難僅歸咎於你們的政客們。你們發明了民主,你們應該知道,是人民作主,當然你們也要負責任。
沒有人強迫你們去逃稅,收受賄賂,用罷工 反對任何健全的 政策,和選出貪腐的政客。這些政客就是民粹主義者。他們正是在做你們想要的。

當 然你們現在會說:你們德國佬,也好不到那裡去。說對啦!比如,幾乎沒有任何一個人敢信任的養老金制度;沒有人知道未來公務員的退休金要從何處來;一個稅收制度,看起來好像是專為逃漏稅老手制定的,而且,龐大如山的債務,不知何時會崩塌下來,把一切都埋葬掉,同樣的,我們也有這些問題。許多人相信,在你們那裡發生的毛病,只是比我們提前一點發生罷了。

以前,你們希臘人指示我們正確的道路,教會了全世界民主的方式,還有哲學以及初步的國家經濟學。現在你們又再次向我們指示道路。但是這一次是指示走入歧途。你們現在的處境,是無法再向前走的。

真誠的,Walter Wüllenweber


PS:請你們回應!我們會很高興收到你們的回答!“


《TEWA編按》
此信在希臘引起很大反彈,作者信箱到現在還天天被擠爆,作者對措辭嚴厲表示道歉,從希臘人的回應,他才知道德國武器外銷,希臘政府佔13%,德國連鎖店Lidl及Saturn也征服了希臘市場,整體希臘經濟操控在德國人手中。這場希臘人與德國人的論戰,作者認為是良性的反應,為歐洲公眾論壇影響歐盟政策創先例。

5/12/2010

New York City smells like pee...

Growing up watching tv shows (friends, sex and the city, how I met your mother, Seinfeld, Mad about you, Beck... to name a few) situated in NYC, you can imagine the image I have in my mind of how NYC look, dirty, messy, cloudy, gritty and unpleasant, filled with pretentious people.

Still, it is a place I want to visit, not only it is the heart of the world economy, it is also the place that is "always happening", been to London, HK, and grew up in Taipei, I am not too sure what to expect.

The recent visit to NYC was very interesting to say the least. The first impression was the subway stations, it smells like pee, similar to London's underground system, it is centuries old, but it is bigger, less depressing than London, but smells lot worse. To be fair, most railway systems have similar smells, I know that because my father used to work in the railway field, and all railways smell like pee, probably because of the metal and the heat.

NYC is everything I expected it to be and more, the food, the people, the buildings, every little bit like the big apple I saw on tv.

However, I didn't expect to learn more about the Americans, they are loud, narcissistic and nosy, but also proud, optimistic and friendly. Do I have doubts that they will rise from the slump, not at all...

The trip was filled with desserts, fine dining, culture, arts and history, the only thing I didn't like about visiting NYC is that there were too many tourists (just like London), they crowded the streets, looking overweight and lost, blended in with the local crowds in their business suits near the financial district, very interesting sight, but it also takes away some of the experience.

Can't really blame the tourists, I am just like one of them, taken in by the big city, where dreams are created and destroyed.

5/11/2010

New York

Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind featuring Alicia Keys Lyrics
[Jay-Z]
Yeah,
Yeah, Imma up at Brooklyn,
now Im down in Tribeca,
right next to DeNiro,
But i’ll be hood forever,
I’m the new Sinatra,
and since i made it here,
i can make it anywhere,
yeah they love me everywhere,
i used to cop in Harlem,
all of my dominicanos
right there up on Broadway,
brought me back to that McDonalds,
took it to my stash spot,
Five Sixty Stage street,
catch me in the kitchen like a simmons whipping pastry,
cruising down 8th street,
off white lexus,
driving so slow but BK is from Texas,
me I’m up at Bedsty,
home of that boy Biggie,
now i live on billboard,
and i brought my boys with me,
say wat up to Ty Ty, still sipping Malta
sitting courtside Knicks and Nets give me high fives,
N-gga i be spiked out, i can trip a referee,
tell by my attitude that I most definitely from…
[Alicia Keys]
In New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There’s nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
these streets will make you feel brand new,
the lights will inspire you,
lets here it for New York, New York, New York
[Jay-Z]
I made you hot n-gga,
Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game,
sh-t i made the yankee hat more famous than a yankee can,
you should know I bleed Blue, but I ain’t a crip tho,
but i got a gang of n-ggas walking with my click though,
welcome to the melting pot,
corners where we selling rocks,
Afrika Bambaataa sh-t,
home of the hip hop,
yellow cap, gypsy cap, dollar cab, holla back,
for foreigners it ain’t fitted they forgot how to act,
8 million stories out there and their naked,
cities is a pity half of y’all won’t make it,
me i gotta plug Special Ed “i got it made,”
If Jesus payin LeBron, I’m paying Dwayne Wade,
3 dice Cee-lo
3 card Marley,
labor day parade, rest in peace Bob Marley,
Statue of Liberty, long live the World trade,
long live the king yo,
I’m from the empire state that’s
[Chorus]
In New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There’s nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
these streets will make you feel brand new,
the lights will inspire you,
lets here it for New York, New York, New York
Welcome to the bright light..
[Jay-Z]
Lights is blinding,
girls need blinders
so they can step out of bounds quick,
the side lines is blind with casualties,
who sipping life casually, then gradually become worse,
don’t bite the apple Eve,
caught up in the in crowd,
now your in-style,
and in the winter gets cold en vogue with your skin out,
the city of sin is a pity on a whim,
good girls gone bad, the cities filled with them,
Mommy took a bus trip and now she got her bust out,
everybody ride her, just like a bus route,
Hail Mary to the city your a Virgin,
and Jesus can’t save you life starts when the church ends,
came here for school, graduated to the high life,
ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight,
MDMA got you feeling like a champion,
the city never sleeps better slip you a Ambien
[Chorus]
In New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There’s nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
these streets will make you feel brand new,
the lights will inspire you,
lets here it for New York, New York, New York
[Alicia Keys]
One hand in the air for the big city,
Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty,
no place in the World that can compare,
Put your lighters in the air, everybody say yeah
come on, come,
yeah,
[Chorus]
In New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There’s nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
these streets will make you feel brand new,
the lights will inspire you,
lets here it for New York, New York, New York
[End]

4/29/2010

有關車

其實,我生長的環境是沒有車的, 父母不開車, 小時侯只有聽說長大要考車牌, 那時想到就皮皮喘, 家裡給我的教育是, 開車是可怕的, 車子是危險的。

到了加拿大, 母親還是遵守開車可怕的教條, 但我已經很迫不及待的想要考牌, 在國外, 有車牌就就有腳了, 就是成人了。

有很多人, 尤其女性看男性對車的注意很不以為然, 常聽到的就是, 可以開就好, 其實不然, 許多人看車就像看象徵自己的物品, 就像女人會注意名牌服飾一般。 雖然女人不會看車, 她們還是會認牌子, 一A二B認識, 更貴的跑車牌子也認識, 就像男人還是認識外雙C, LV一類的服飾名牌。 更不用說會用名牌來界定一個人的身分地位了, 車子, 也是一樣。

所以, 我見到的輕熟男, 有錢就換車, 其實跟輕熟女, 有錢就會買名包, 一樣的道理。

有個朋友高中的時候, 在停車場, 看見同年紀男生開名車,載美眉, 語帶羨慕與忌妒的說, 為什麼好車載的都是正的, 我反問他, 你開好車會載恐龍嗎? 他說也對。

這是一個很不成熟, 也很不正確的價值觀。 但這還是存在, 你一定也試過, 當你認識好幾個同名的朋友, 要怎麼跟其他人講這個人? 通常, 會說職業, 要不就說開什麼車…

車與名錶對人, 就是財力的象徵, 當然, 有人熱衷於其中的機械, 但大部分的人不是。

以上是提外話, 我自己第一台車的經驗, 就是我媽的豐田可樂那, 為什麼是這台車, 因為我媽學車的教練車就是這台。 中規中矩, 沒什麼好玩。

到了上大學, 家裡幫我買了一台菱木側踢 (sidekick), 這車算是SUV的前輩, 因為SFU在山上, 覺得好像比較安全。 這是一台濫車, 過了保固期, 引擎先爛掉, $4000多去回收場換了顆引擎, Suzuki那時的廣告詞是 Driving is believing… 最好是,believing it is a POS!

出社會後, 第一件事就是換車, 那時馬士達廣告的兇, zoomzoomzoom直打我心, 五門掀背又很實際, 愛得不了了, 差不多是每個月洗車, 再加上那時剛搬出家, 這小黃就是我最值錢的東西, 也是我最驕傲的負擔, 想想一個幾百元的貸款, 保險, 油錢… 我那時的老闆, 很不喜歡小黃, 總覺得那是年輕人的車, 不夠穩重。

我換工作時, 開始租車, 正式的成為德國車家族, BMW的3系列, 我都叫它Anna, 因為聽起來就想很high maintenance的女人。 但總覺得租來的車不是自己的, 就沒有那麼的細心照顧… 之後的日產阿踢馬(小黑), 也是一樣, 但有小小的插曲, 有人就跟我說, 怎麼差那麼多, 從德國車變日本車… 其實回想還好, 因為那幾年真的難熬, 好險有中規中矩的它陪我。

現在小黑也要回娘家了… 又是換車的時候…

4/23/2010

眼淚

great song from my time... damn i missed those times!

青春若有張不老的臉 但願它永都不被改變
許多夢想總編織太美 跟著迎接幻滅
愛上你是最快樂的事
卻也換來最痛苦的悲
苦澀交錯愛的甜美
我怎樣都學不會 ha...
Oh 眼淚 眼淚都是我的體會
成長的滋味
Oh 眼淚 忍住眼淚不讓你看見
我在改變 孤單的感覺
你從不曾發現 我笑中還有淚
Oh 眼淚 眼淚流過無言的夜 心痛的滋味
Oh 眼淚 擦乾眼淚忘不掉一切 曾有的眷戀
眼淚是苦 眼淚是傷悲 眼淚都是你
眼淚是甜 眼淚是昨天 眼淚不流淚

4/19/2010

Battle of Left over cake

This is an interesting story, I recently heard a couple broke up over a slice of cake.

What happened was that this couple were at a friend's bday party, the dessert cake was delicious. The guy was stuffing himself even though he was really full, 'cause he didn't want to waste the cake. When he realized that he couldn't finish the cake, he asked for a takeout box for the remaining 3 bites.

The girl was really annoyed and embarrassed, 'cause no one at the party was packing their leftover cake, nevermind for only 3 bites.

It got worsen when the bill came, when the table decided to split the bill evenly, the guy told the girl that "you should pay less, 'cause you didn't order a drink". The girl was again embarrassed in front of her friends...

The fight started after the dinner, and they have decided to break up.

The friend who told me the story concluded that "they were thinking about getting married, but they didn't love each other enough to compromise!"

I think there is more to that, they are both adults, they have been molded in their own ways, to accept and to compromise requires at least some form of understanding of the background each person is been brought up. Sometimes, a different set of believe systems will come in conflict. I am sure some people see the guy as been thrifty, some see the guy being cheap...

It reminds me of a time when I had a fight with one of my ex, when she went shopping for fruit, she would buy anything she wants to eat, no matter the season. For example, strawberries in winter. My point was that the fruit is not in season, it wouldn't taste great and it would be too expensive. Her point was that she wanted strawberries, and she should get strawberries.

Luckily, it wasn't something that would extended into a breakup, but it is just a small thing that shows that it takes more than just love to bring two together...

4/14/2010

You can't be mad at someone

I had a discussion with Ms. Cake the other day. She said have you ever imagine, of the people you meet everyday, there is a chance that you will never run into them again. If that is the case, we can't be mad at anyone you meet. I like the idea. And I am sure I will see you again, Ms. Cake!

4/05/2010

Penny for a Diamond Ring - A love story

Here is a true story about a little girl, who dreamt to meet someone special. There will be this day that she will walk down the aisle with someone in hand. So she dreamt.

When she grew older, had a boyfriend or two, some were dumb and some were abusive, but none worked out. She was still hoping that one day, the dream will come true.

On the new year eve, mom took the girl to a temple, the fortune teller said she will meet someone. Someone from oversea. So she travelled oversea, thinking she will meet him there.

She went to Europe, in Rome, at Spanish Steps, just like in the movie "Roman Holidays", she threw a penny into the Fountain of the Old Boat just like Audrey Hepburn did. She preyed and wished that her man will show up, maybe in Rome?

When she came home, she ran into this young Physio-therapist who used to live in the same neighborhood. But you see, he was studying oversea!

They fell in love. It wasn't easy, but they have overcame challenges and stayed together. One day, the young man kneed on one knee and proposed with a diamond ring. The man indeed, is the man of her dreams. Her dream has finally come true! A penny for a diamond ring, and a great man along with it!

4/01/2010

The wedding diary - Part 2

I thought I could get away with attending a handful of weddings this year... Guess not... With January and March weddings done, I have 2 more in Jul, 2 more in Sept, 2 more in Oct, maybe one more in Dec. Luckily, I am only working in a few of them. Unfortunately (or fortunately), some of these will be my best friends, and last of the good ones...

3/25/2010

愛拚才会赢

一時失志嘸免怨嘆 一時落魄嘸免膽寒
那通失去希望 每日醉茫茫 無魂有體親像稻草郎
人生可比是海上的波浪 有時起 有時落
好運 歹運 總嘛要照起扛來行
三分天註定 七分靠打拚 愛拚才会赢

Add Oil to me! Add Oil to everyone!

3/22/2010

When boys become men...

My landlord has sold the house I used to live in for 6 years. It has been torn down for a new house. I was asked to picked up a few things I didn't pack when I left, there were Models I didn't finish when I moved to that place many years ago.

There were about 4 car models, a airplane model and a submarine model.

Back in 2001, me and my boys were desperately looking for jobs or getting out of school, it was a tough time, we started building models at night.

Over time, I have built myself, one tank, and 7 cars. Since then, out of the boys, one got married with 2 kids, one getting married this autumn, one probably going to get married this winter...

When I look at these unfinished models, I think of the time when men were still boys, when times were tough, but we got through them, and moved on to better things. I wonder now... should I finish these unfinished products myself?

3/20/2010

經濟泡沫化-十七世紀篇

最近金融風暴剛過, 比起二十一世紀初的高科技股, 受傷的股民更多, 但比起第一個有紀錄的經濟泡沫化, 這個慘兮兮的經驗, 其實還不算什麼.

在十六世紀中葉, 從奧圖曼帝國(現在土耳其)傳入歐洲一種植物, 造成轟動, 尤其是皇宮, 貴族, 有錢人, 無不愛它, 它就是鬱金香. (不是LV)

那時的鬱金香成為財力的象徵, 顏色漂亮的品種更是以將軍命名, 因為有錢人愛, 種植又不易 (一朵花可能要種個7-12年) 好花的價錢迅速膨脹, 在1636年時, 因為它的需求大, 甚至鬱金香的期貨都出現了, 加上當年有專害鬱金香的病毒流行, 花種的價錢就急速膨脹, 在1636年的11月, 到次年的2月, 花種的價錢一共昇了200倍!

在最高峰的時候, 一個最高級的總督(Viceroy)花種可以賣到4200荷蘭幣, 那時一個很好的工匠年薪才300荷蘭幣. 在1635年時, 還有40朵花種賣100,000荷蘭幣的天價, 平均一朵2500荷蘭幣. 根據維奇百科的記載, 2500荷蘭幣可以在當時買到: 4800噸的大麥, 9600噸黑麥, 4隻肥黃牛, 8隻肥豬, 12隻肥羊, 1100公升的紅酒, 4000公升的啤酒, 2噸的牛油, 1噸的起司, 一張床, 一套好衣服, 還有一個銀製的酒杯... 不是一種, 2500荷蘭幣當時可以買到全部! 可以夠幾個人過活阿!

如果還是沒概念, 那時一塊錢荷蘭幣大約是20元加幣, 所以那朵總督要差不多84000加幣, 應該不只, 那時一頭羊才現在120加幣, 好的工匠才6000加幣年薪, 那年代的工匠差不多是現在工程師的工作, 就算現在工程師只有120000加幣年薪, 那朵總督要差不多1680000加幣, 一百六十八萬買一朵花的種子!!!

那時有許多人傾家蕩產, 更是有人願意用12英畝地換兩朵花種, 就是為了要炒鬱金香. 好景不常, 在1636年的2月5日, 鬱金香市場終於泡沫化, 買期貨的投資者突然發現自己要付的價錢是市場的十倍, 賣花種的人發現自己的花種只有開市十分之一的價值, 法庭也沒有方法強迫執行合約, 荷蘭的經濟就這樣垮了好多年...

還是一句, 投資不要賭, 要分散...