This is what you have to pay for browsing other ppl's blog... 55 questions.
1. NAME:
James Yang
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Bond, James Bond
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
When watching "Dear Frankie" on a plane to TW, without sound.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I like my English handwriting, definitely not Chinese.
6. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
None that I am awared of.
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
If I were another Libra, I would have annoyed myself so much, friends are very unlikely.
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
Does blog count?
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Yes, because I looooove sarcasm.
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Nope, unless it is for true love. (and true love won't make me bungee jump)
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Nope, unless I am trying to impress some people. (e.g. Queen of England)
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR?
Rum and Raisin, best one I had was in West Mall Complex, Raven's cafe, SFU.
16. SHOE SIZE?
8.5 or 9, don't remember.
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
indecisive and turtle hair sometimes.
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
myself, 10 years younger.
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING?
greyish blue pants, black shoes.
22. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
fresh pineapple.
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Report on Business Television.
24 IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Yellow, definitely yellow.
25. FAVOURITE SMELL?
The smell of the air after the rain.
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED WITH ON THE PHONE?
Frank, my high school buddy.
27.THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU MEET?
Their eyes.
28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON (PEOPLE) WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Definitely, why else would I spend time answering these questions? :)
29. FAVOURITE DRINK?
Passion Fruit Green Tea.
30. FAVOURITE SPORT?
used to be swimming, golfing... I have to say... web-browsing...
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
yes.
34. FAVOURITE FOOD?
Taiwanese, Greek, Italian, Korean, and Japanese... actually, there should be more.
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING?
Happy Ending! Because everything in this world has happy endings... (sarcasm...)
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Last Sunday, "Flags of our fathers"
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Purplish shirt with stripes.
39. HUGS OR KISSES?
definitely kisses, you can't kiss alone, but you can hug yourself.
40. FAVOURITE DESSERT?
Grass Jelly.
41. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND THE QUICKEST?
No one, I am not asking anyone :).
42. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Everyone, I am not asking.
43. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
"The Corporate"
44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
HSBC official mouse pad with "The world's local bank" and "THINK joined up" slogans on them.
46. FAVOURITE SOUNDS?
Sound of cash... actually sound of an engine.
48. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?
Copenhagen, Denmark, 15 hours flight from Taiwan, probably similar from Vancouver.
49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Observation... I watch ppl... (sounds creepy, doesn't it)
51. MOST FAVOURATE/COMFORTABLE PLACE
My bed.
52. WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE YOU HATE THE MOST?
boring ppl.
54. Least Favorite Food?
Chicken feet.
55. Least Favorite Drink?
Taquila, it is just gross.
10/31/2006
10/30/2006
I'll Walk Alone...
I am a war-junkie, always have been fasinated by War stories, tatics, weapons... In my relatively recent trips to London and Hawaii, I spent lots of time in military museums. Maybe it is the little boy in me that likes to see destructions and heros. On the other hand, I am very interested in understanding the human aspects of wars, why people kill and why people love.
That is why whenever there is a war movie around, especially with epic battles, I have to see it. This time, it is directed by Clint Eastwood, Flags of our fathers. A quick survey around my friends show lack of interest in war movies. Determined, I went to see the movie by myself, on a Sunday night.
The movie starts with a song from the 40s,
I'll walk alone because to tell you the truth I'll be lonely,
I don't mind being lonely when my heart tells me you are lonely too.
I'll walk alone, they'll ask me why and I'll tell them I'd rather.
There are dreams I must gather, dreams we fashioned the night you held me tight.
I'll always be near you wherever you are each night in every prayer.
If you call, I'll hear you, no matter how far.
Just close your eyes and I'll be there.
Please walk alone and send your love and your kisses to guide me.
Till you're walking beside me, I'll walk alone.
Last year when I started this blog, I mentioned that there are lots of things I cannot do alone, watching movie been one of them. This is only the second time I have watched a movie in a movie theatre by myself. It was odd, I had nowhere to go to but home, and no one to share the thoughts of the movie but me. For a moment there, I am not sure if I'd rather want to walk alone.
That is why whenever there is a war movie around, especially with epic battles, I have to see it. This time, it is directed by Clint Eastwood, Flags of our fathers. A quick survey around my friends show lack of interest in war movies. Determined, I went to see the movie by myself, on a Sunday night.
The movie starts with a song from the 40s,
I'll walk alone because to tell you the truth I'll be lonely,
I don't mind being lonely when my heart tells me you are lonely too.
I'll walk alone, they'll ask me why and I'll tell them I'd rather.
There are dreams I must gather, dreams we fashioned the night you held me tight.
I'll always be near you wherever you are each night in every prayer.
If you call, I'll hear you, no matter how far.
Just close your eyes and I'll be there.
Please walk alone and send your love and your kisses to guide me.
Till you're walking beside me, I'll walk alone.
Last year when I started this blog, I mentioned that there are lots of things I cannot do alone, watching movie been one of them. This is only the second time I have watched a movie in a movie theatre by myself. It was odd, I had nowhere to go to but home, and no one to share the thoughts of the movie but me. For a moment there, I am not sure if I'd rather want to walk alone.
10/27/2006
Phantom of the Opera, lover or loser?
For many people in Vancouver, the highlight for summer of '06 has been watching "The Phantom of the Opera".
It wasn't the first time I saw the play, but the beautiful music is still refreshing to listen to. The girls I went with though, were crying their eyes out, according to them, "poor Erik (phantom's name), poor him... sniff sniff, bad Christine, she is a biatch... sniff sniff".
I was pretty perplexed, I couldn't remember how I felt the first time I saw TPOTO, but I am pretty sure I was not feeling sorry for Erik. When the second time I saw it, I definitely am sure that I am NOT feeling sorry for Erik.
Reason is simple, other than the fact that he has poor taste in living environment (a damp, dark basement), his deception and bitterness towards life and people would be hard to bear. Yes, it is true that he had taught Christine and helped her to become the star, but he told her he is the angel sent by her dead father, a deception. Maybe it is the physical deficiency that causes the necessity of the lies, but once you brand yourself as a teacher or even a fathery figure, can you blame the girl for not loving you? That sounds like taking advantage of the authority.
Also, if you really love the person, should you be hiding in the dark (literally) for so many years, not letting her know your feelings? How would you expect a girl to act when you act possesive then kidnapped her in your dungeon (literally) for a few days?
I have no sympathy to how Erik was treated. Just think about a real life situation, Christine would probably get a restraint order and filed civil suits against our beloved Phantom.
But when looking at my female friends sobbing in the theatre, I really hope girls these days are not looking for a man with possesive and deceptive personalities...
It wasn't the first time I saw the play, but the beautiful music is still refreshing to listen to. The girls I went with though, were crying their eyes out, according to them, "poor Erik (phantom's name), poor him... sniff sniff, bad Christine, she is a biatch... sniff sniff".
I was pretty perplexed, I couldn't remember how I felt the first time I saw TPOTO, but I am pretty sure I was not feeling sorry for Erik. When the second time I saw it, I definitely am sure that I am NOT feeling sorry for Erik.
Reason is simple, other than the fact that he has poor taste in living environment (a damp, dark basement), his deception and bitterness towards life and people would be hard to bear. Yes, it is true that he had taught Christine and helped her to become the star, but he told her he is the angel sent by her dead father, a deception. Maybe it is the physical deficiency that causes the necessity of the lies, but once you brand yourself as a teacher or even a fathery figure, can you blame the girl for not loving you? That sounds like taking advantage of the authority.
Also, if you really love the person, should you be hiding in the dark (literally) for so many years, not letting her know your feelings? How would you expect a girl to act when you act possesive then kidnapped her in your dungeon (literally) for a few days?
I have no sympathy to how Erik was treated. Just think about a real life situation, Christine would probably get a restraint order and filed civil suits against our beloved Phantom.
But when looking at my female friends sobbing in the theatre, I really hope girls these days are not looking for a man with possesive and deceptive personalities...
10/24/2006
Why go and why stay?
1949, 4 years after the end of World War II, the port city of Bremerhaven was devastated by the allie airraids. Arnold, 17 at the time, was working in a meat deli.
It was a summer evening, one of his friend working at the dock told him that there will be a boat leaving tomorrow morning at 5:30am, and it was going to America. Arnold saw the first hand destruction of Germany, and he wanted to get out, leave the country under reconstruction.
He gathered all the money he had and bought the ticket to America. The journey took him to Montreal, not United States as he first thought. He didn't care though, anywhere would be better than home, anywhere...
Montreal was packed with european foreigners, and the job his friend promised was no longer avaliable. Cash was running low, and he needed to work. His friend told him that he has a cousin who works on the west coast, but Arnold had to take a train to get there.
Arnold used up his remaining savings and took the train. After a few days of train ride, he arrived at a little forest/mining town, Port Hardy, BC. It was late, and dark outside. He wondered around the train station. Then he found a small lake, it was covered with reflection of the sky, the sky filled with stars. Arnold gasped, he then told himself, this will be home, this is where I will stay.
Almost 60 years later, Arnold told me the story with his detectable german accent. He has been working in the forestry industry and has since retired. He said he will be buying a small vineyard next year, something he has been wanting since he was a kid.
He smiled and said, "I will never forget the night with the stars..."
It was a summer evening, one of his friend working at the dock told him that there will be a boat leaving tomorrow morning at 5:30am, and it was going to America. Arnold saw the first hand destruction of Germany, and he wanted to get out, leave the country under reconstruction.
He gathered all the money he had and bought the ticket to America. The journey took him to Montreal, not United States as he first thought. He didn't care though, anywhere would be better than home, anywhere...
Montreal was packed with european foreigners, and the job his friend promised was no longer avaliable. Cash was running low, and he needed to work. His friend told him that he has a cousin who works on the west coast, but Arnold had to take a train to get there.
Arnold used up his remaining savings and took the train. After a few days of train ride, he arrived at a little forest/mining town, Port Hardy, BC. It was late, and dark outside. He wondered around the train station. Then he found a small lake, it was covered with reflection of the sky, the sky filled with stars. Arnold gasped, he then told himself, this will be home, this is where I will stay.
Almost 60 years later, Arnold told me the story with his detectable german accent. He has been working in the forestry industry and has since retired. He said he will be buying a small vineyard next year, something he has been wanting since he was a kid.
He smiled and said, "I will never forget the night with the stars..."
10/20/2006
They are young, successful, and married...
I am doing something I have never done before, spending 3 straight nights with my C list friends. Yes, the married couples.
C list friends have the following characteristics:
1) they love to host home parties, not the ones where everyone gets drunk, but the ones where everyone gets to play monoploy until the cows come home.
2) they love to set up dates, reason is simple, they want to convert you into C list as well.
3) they are very very gossipy, because there is nothing much to talk about in their married life, they love to know who you are going out with, where you went last night, what are you going to do this weekend, and are you gay if you are not seeing anyone...
Oh, and they usually hang out with other C list friends, therefore, isolating most of the A list friends.
There was last night, an outing with 2 pairs of married couples, they were all young (younger than me), successful at what they do, and very married.
When they knew I was not seeing anyone, I had to go through the following interview
1) determine if I am playing with another team (aka. gay)
2) what type girls I like (you like older girls? you like japanese?...)
3) am I avaliable tomorrow night? (so there will be a setup)
When those are out of the way, we got into interesting conversation, we talked about sex, work, movies, and I have to say I had fun hanging out with these C list friends.
But every couples have their own share of problems like any relationships, one couple is raising a young child, one couple is considering moving to a different continent, one couple is starting a new company... The only difference is that they cannot walk away from their problems, and they have to face their hardship together, unlike B list friends, they could just walk away.
Tonight I am going KTV with more of my C list friends...
C list friends have the following characteristics:
1) they love to host home parties, not the ones where everyone gets drunk, but the ones where everyone gets to play monoploy until the cows come home.
2) they love to set up dates, reason is simple, they want to convert you into C list as well.
3) they are very very gossipy, because there is nothing much to talk about in their married life, they love to know who you are going out with, where you went last night, what are you going to do this weekend, and are you gay if you are not seeing anyone...
Oh, and they usually hang out with other C list friends, therefore, isolating most of the A list friends.
There was last night, an outing with 2 pairs of married couples, they were all young (younger than me), successful at what they do, and very married.
When they knew I was not seeing anyone, I had to go through the following interview
1) determine if I am playing with another team (aka. gay)
2) what type girls I like (you like older girls? you like japanese?...)
3) am I avaliable tomorrow night? (so there will be a setup)
When those are out of the way, we got into interesting conversation, we talked about sex, work, movies, and I have to say I had fun hanging out with these C list friends.
But every couples have their own share of problems like any relationships, one couple is raising a young child, one couple is considering moving to a different continent, one couple is starting a new company... The only difference is that they cannot walk away from their problems, and they have to face their hardship together, unlike B list friends, they could just walk away.
Tonight I am going KTV with more of my C list friends...
10/15/2006
男人二十八女人二十五...
我在愛情上是個挺挑食的人(有朋友說這叫犯賤)... 但我一旦吃到好吃的，就天天吃一樣的... 很不幸，人越大，越多東西不吃。我除了一大堆跟感覺很有關係的限制之外，有幾個「絕對不把」得鐵律:
1. 前女友的好朋友
2. 好朋友的前女友
今年加上第三項
3. 25歲以下
我以前是不歧視比我小很多歲的女生，現在還是不歧視，只是不會是考慮的對象而已。為啥?
近年來，我慢慢的了解，男生真的比女生成熟的慢，不論是感情還是工作，他們通常會用很長的時間去認識自己，每步都走的戰戰兢兢，很怕一失足成千古恨，所以你通常會聽到男生會用工作來拋棄女生，不能怪他們，因為他們自己都搞不定…
女生也會有雷同的問題，但她們會來的比較早，而且她們還有生理時鐘的壓力，所以她們更要在某個年紀之前(九成九是二十八歲) 趕快找到自己的方向，所以她們在某個年紀之前是很茫然的，要工作? 要唸書? 要找對象? 好像來日無多…
很多的大男生一直到二十八歲，才能理直氣壯的說，我想要的是什麼。很多的大女孩一直到二十五歲，才能開開心心的尋找自己的幸福。
當然，有很多人非常早熟，但真的不多，反而晚熟的大男生，大女孩越來越多。
我自己已經有個譜，現在就缺個認真尋找自己幸福的女孩，應該二十五以上…
1. 前女友的好朋友
2. 好朋友的前女友
今年加上第三項
3. 25歲以下
我以前是不歧視比我小很多歲的女生，現在還是不歧視，只是不會是考慮的對象而已。為啥?
近年來，我慢慢的了解，男生真的比女生成熟的慢，不論是感情還是工作，他們通常會用很長的時間去認識自己，每步都走的戰戰兢兢，很怕一失足成千古恨，所以你通常會聽到男生會用工作來拋棄女生，不能怪他們，因為他們自己都搞不定…
女生也會有雷同的問題，但她們會來的比較早，而且她們還有生理時鐘的壓力，所以她們更要在某個年紀之前(九成九是二十八歲) 趕快找到自己的方向，所以她們在某個年紀之前是很茫然的，要工作? 要唸書? 要找對象? 好像來日無多…
很多的大男生一直到二十八歲，才能理直氣壯的說，我想要的是什麼。很多的大女孩一直到二十五歲，才能開開心心的尋找自己的幸福。
當然，有很多人非常早熟，但真的不多，反而晚熟的大男生，大女孩越來越多。
我自己已經有個譜，現在就缺個認真尋找自己幸福的女孩，應該二十五以上…
10/10/2006
The party after party...
It has been 29 plus a week for me, and I am still feeling the party after effect, maybe I am still at the denial stage... (I am not 29 I am not 29 I am not 29 I am not 29....)
But, I am feeling like more clubbing lately, even though I had a good share of clubbing since the beginning of this year, not much drinking, a lot of dancing. Maybe it is one of the pre-pre-middle-age crsis. :)
Sexy Back
I'm bringing sexy back
Them other boys don't know how to act
I think you're special whats behind your back
So turn around and ill pick up the slack.
Take em' to the bridge
Dirty babe
You see these shackles
Baby I'm your slave
I'll let you whip me if I misbehave
It's just that no one makes me feel this way
Take em' to the chorus
Come here girl
Go ahead, be gone with it
Come to the back
Go ahead, be gone with it
VIP
Go ahead, be gone with it
Drinks on me
Go ahead, be gone with it
Let me see what you're tworking with
Go ahead, be gone with it
Look at those hips
Go ahead, be gone with it
You make me smile
Go ahead, be gone with it
Go ahead child
Go ahead, be gone with it
And get your sexy on
Go ahead, be gone with it
Get your sexy on
Go ahead, be gone with it
Get your sexy on
I'm bringing sexy back
Them other boys don't know how to act
Come let me make up for the things you lack
Cause your burning up I gotta get it fast
Take em' to the bridge
I'm bringing sexy back
Them other boys don't know how to act
If that's your girl you better watch your back
Cause she'll burn it up for me and that's a fact
Take em' to the chorus
Okay, it doesn't make much sense posting a dance music lyrics, but the party is on, inside my twenty-f@#king-nine's head...
But, I am feeling like more clubbing lately, even though I had a good share of clubbing since the beginning of this year, not much drinking, a lot of dancing. Maybe it is one of the pre-pre-middle-age crsis. :)
Sexy Back
I'm bringing sexy back
Them other boys don't know how to act
I think you're special whats behind your back
So turn around and ill pick up the slack.
Take em' to the bridge
Dirty babe
You see these shackles
Baby I'm your slave
I'll let you whip me if I misbehave
It's just that no one makes me feel this way
Take em' to the chorus
Come here girl
Go ahead, be gone with it
Come to the back
Go ahead, be gone with it
VIP
Go ahead, be gone with it
Drinks on me
Go ahead, be gone with it
Let me see what you're tworking with
Go ahead, be gone with it
Look at those hips
Go ahead, be gone with it
You make me smile
Go ahead, be gone with it
Go ahead child
Go ahead, be gone with it
And get your sexy on
Go ahead, be gone with it
Get your sexy on
Go ahead, be gone with it
Get your sexy on
I'm bringing sexy back
Them other boys don't know how to act
Come let me make up for the things you lack
Cause your burning up I gotta get it fast
Take em' to the bridge
I'm bringing sexy back
Them other boys don't know how to act
If that's your girl you better watch your back
Cause she'll burn it up for me and that's a fact
Take em' to the chorus
Okay, it doesn't make much sense posting a dance music lyrics, but the party is on, inside my twenty-f@#king-nine's head...
10/03/2006
Happy Birthday to me!!! Again...
Another year, another birthday, but this year is a little different, it marks the last year before the age of 30. Some say this will be a depressing year, I am not sure about that though...
With a great start of a great party surrounded by friends, I am sure this will be another fun year!
Time to make another list of goals/wishes:
5 Year List:
My own place (either 300k condo or 400k townhouse, have to keep up with inflation)
Laser eye surgery (might need mental support, will do after the next wish)
Fall in love (yes, and make it last a little longer than 1 month)
30 million portfolio (my clients', not mine)
Travel to Greece (the Aegean Sea...)
The small list for this year:
Hit golf ball straight 80% of the time (at least with 7 ~ 9 irons)
Learn how to drive a stick (might need friends' cars)
Learn to play guitar (maybe self-learning?)
Get Insurance licensed (again...)
Make a new 5 year list (if the above doesn't work :) )
With a great start of a great party surrounded by friends, I am sure this will be another fun year!
Time to make another list of goals/wishes:
5 Year List:
My own place (either 300k condo or 400k townhouse, have to keep up with inflation)
Laser eye surgery (might need mental support, will do after the next wish)
Fall in love (yes, and make it last a little longer than 1 month)
30 million portfolio (my clients', not mine)
Travel to Greece (the Aegean Sea...)
The small list for this year:
Hit golf ball straight 80% of the time (at least with 7 ~ 9 irons)
Learn how to drive a stick (might need friends' cars)
Learn to play guitar (maybe self-learning?)
Get Insurance licensed (again...)
Make a new 5 year list (if the above doesn't work :) )
9/30/2006
一週年...二十九週年...
剛好一年前，在每年生日憂鬱症前夕開始了'小羊碎碎唸' ，用了整個上午的時間回顧過去的一年，從開始的寂寞感，到對感情的討論，喜愛歌曲的歌詞，遊記，小羊碎碎唸慢慢的變成我生活的一部分，我的一部分，當然，一些忠實的讀者給我不少鼓勵...
過去的一年，過得很多采多姿，認識了不少新朋友，一些很好的朋友，談了幾次沒結果的戀愛，受了幾次傷，也傷了人，出了幾次國，上過廣播節目，當過社團的會長，找到夢寐以求的工作，第一次喝醉...
過去的一年最大的收穫，應該就是有好好去認識自己，在生活中，工作中，面對自己的喜怒愛樂，接受自己的優缺點，好像，真的有長了一歲...
但免不了，還是擔心，擔心自己好像還是一事無成，雖然已經做了不少，總覺得還是太懶...
看看我去年給自己定下的一年和五年計劃...
My own place (either 200k condo or 300k townhouse)
BMW 325i (Mystic Blue or Jet Black)
Laser eye surgery (might need mental support)
Fall in love (yes, I still believe in love)
25 million portfolio (my clients', not mine)
The small list for this year:
Hit golf ball straight 80% of the time (at least with 7 ~ 9 irons)
Learn how to drive a stick (might need friends' cars)
Learn to play guitar (maybe self-learning?)
Make a new 5 year list (if the above doesn't work :) )
老實講我的一年計劃，學什麼學什麼的，一個都沒有達成，整年只有揮幾次桿，摸過一次吉他，手排擋連碰都沒碰過，五年計劃倒做得不錯，看來我要好好考慮新的一年計劃...
再次感謝各位的支持，因為我的二十八歲，有你跟隨，我很開心...
過去的一年，過得很多采多姿，認識了不少新朋友，一些很好的朋友，談了幾次沒結果的戀愛，受了幾次傷，也傷了人，出了幾次國，上過廣播節目，當過社團的會長，找到夢寐以求的工作，第一次喝醉...
過去的一年最大的收穫，應該就是有好好去認識自己，在生活中，工作中，面對自己的喜怒愛樂，接受自己的優缺點，好像，真的有長了一歲...
但免不了，還是擔心，擔心自己好像還是一事無成，雖然已經做了不少，總覺得還是太懶...
看看我去年給自己定下的一年和五年計劃...
My own place (either 200k condo or 300k townhouse)
BMW 325i (Mystic Blue or Jet Black)
Laser eye surgery (might need mental support)
Fall in love (yes, I still believe in love)
25 million portfolio (my clients', not mine)
The small list for this year:
Hit golf ball straight 80% of the time (at least with 7 ~ 9 irons)
Learn how to drive a stick (might need friends' cars)
Learn to play guitar (maybe self-learning?)
Make a new 5 year list (if the above doesn't work :) )
老實講我的一年計劃，學什麼學什麼的，一個都沒有達成，整年只有揮幾次桿，摸過一次吉他，手排擋連碰都沒碰過，五年計劃倒做得不錯，看來我要好好考慮新的一年計劃...
再次感謝各位的支持，因為我的二十八歲，有你跟隨，我很開心...
9/24/2006
Politics for idiots...
Now I am starting to notice a lot of disturbance in the air surrounding political issues in Taiwan. Of course politics have always been a hot topic in Taiwan. It is also a taboo in the cultural as well. If you declare that you are supporting a certain political party in the public, you would have created a few friends and enemies at the same time.
I realized the seriousness of the subject a few years back, when I asked my dad who he was going to vote for in that year's presidential election. He said "it is a secret"... I was thinking, "What the heck! I am your son who is living thousands km away and cannot vote anyhow!” That is just to show how serious voting can be in Taiwan, and “thou shall not share the secret, even it is your eldest offspring…”
To make people remember a certain political party, a certain colour will be used, or even animals, the two big parties in US, democrats (blue and donkey), republicans (red and elephant), in Taiwan, there are blue, green, yellow, orange... Why? A simple association of colour is so easy to remember, you don't have to know what each party stands for in order to vote for them, just remember the colours...
In Taiwan, I think politics is still at its infancy stage, just look at the poll turnout for each election, you see high 80%, that is to show that people are passionate about politics, they still believe that politicians will do what they have promised to do, and voters themselves will feel good to be part of something.
To feel good to be part of something... That is very important in politics. That is why you see rallies, protests, and songs in election campaigns. The feeling of being part of something larger than life has the same effect as a rock concert, honestly, if you pick anyone in the crowd and ask him/her what he/she is fighting for, he/she will probably give you a commendatory piece from news outlet, but really, is that what people think?
Media has to take a lot of heat for stirring up things, of course, it is easy to say that people demands it, and people are not interested in boring news, thus some creativity should be added into the news. For example, when the conflict in middle east started recently, various news outlets will find experts to warn the public that World War 3 is coming, is that really necessary? Would that help the public to understand and be interested in the subject? I argue that Media has a lot to do with the uncomfortable atmosphere in Taiwan, but some will not agree, they will think they are smarter than the media, they can see thru the fabrication in the news, sadly, it is not as easy to see thru when politics are involved…
I realized the seriousness of the subject a few years back, when I asked my dad who he was going to vote for in that year's presidential election. He said "it is a secret"... I was thinking, "What the heck! I am your son who is living thousands km away and cannot vote anyhow!” That is just to show how serious voting can be in Taiwan, and “thou shall not share the secret, even it is your eldest offspring…”
To make people remember a certain political party, a certain colour will be used, or even animals, the two big parties in US, democrats (blue and donkey), republicans (red and elephant), in Taiwan, there are blue, green, yellow, orange... Why? A simple association of colour is so easy to remember, you don't have to know what each party stands for in order to vote for them, just remember the colours...
In Taiwan, I think politics is still at its infancy stage, just look at the poll turnout for each election, you see high 80%, that is to show that people are passionate about politics, they still believe that politicians will do what they have promised to do, and voters themselves will feel good to be part of something.
To feel good to be part of something... That is very important in politics. That is why you see rallies, protests, and songs in election campaigns. The feeling of being part of something larger than life has the same effect as a rock concert, honestly, if you pick anyone in the crowd and ask him/her what he/she is fighting for, he/she will probably give you a commendatory piece from news outlet, but really, is that what people think?
Media has to take a lot of heat for stirring up things, of course, it is easy to say that people demands it, and people are not interested in boring news, thus some creativity should be added into the news. For example, when the conflict in middle east started recently, various news outlets will find experts to warn the public that World War 3 is coming, is that really necessary? Would that help the public to understand and be interested in the subject? I argue that Media has a lot to do with the uncomfortable atmosphere in Taiwan, but some will not agree, they will think they are smarter than the media, they can see thru the fabrication in the news, sadly, it is not as easy to see thru when politics are involved…
9/15/2006
山頂黑狗兄
我記得第一次失戀時﹐總覺得每天都像世界末日﹐朋友們也不知道怎麼安慰我﹐直到有天聽到庾澄慶的歌...
山頂黑狗兄
山頂一個黑狗兄 伊是牧場的少爺
透早到晚真打拼 牧場開闊歸山拼
嘴唸明朗的歌聲 透日歌聲唸抹定
伊的歌韻真好聽 聲好會唸介出名
有聽聲音無影 U Lay E Lee 歌喉聲山嶺
歌生幼軟緣投得人痛 U Lay E Lee
阮的貼心黑狗兄 逍遙自在真好命
姑娘聽著心肝神魂跟伊行
央三拖四甲伊求親成
U Lay E Lee U Lay E Lee U Lay E Lee
我哼著哼著 (因為不會歌詞)﹐才發現我已經走出傷痛...
說真的很多中文歌都不大健康﹐不是愛的人不愛你﹐愛的人去愛別人﹐不愛的人愛你﹐要不就是愛你的人要離開﹐反正都是愛死去活來﹐海枯石爛的﹐好像談起愛情就一定要正經八百。我覺得如果沒事聽聽KTV還可以﹐如果真的失戀﹐用來逼哭也可以﹐但長期使用會使人內傷的...
山頂黑狗兄
山頂一個黑狗兄 伊是牧場的少爺
透早到晚真打拼 牧場開闊歸山拼
嘴唸明朗的歌聲 透日歌聲唸抹定
伊的歌韻真好聽 聲好會唸介出名
有聽聲音無影 U Lay E Lee 歌喉聲山嶺
歌生幼軟緣投得人痛 U Lay E Lee
阮的貼心黑狗兄 逍遙自在真好命
姑娘聽著心肝神魂跟伊行
央三拖四甲伊求親成
U Lay E Lee U Lay E Lee U Lay E Lee
我哼著哼著 (因為不會歌詞)﹐才發現我已經走出傷痛...
說真的很多中文歌都不大健康﹐不是愛的人不愛你﹐愛的人去愛別人﹐不愛的人愛你﹐要不就是愛你的人要離開﹐反正都是愛死去活來﹐海枯石爛的﹐好像談起愛情就一定要正經八百。我覺得如果沒事聽聽KTV還可以﹐如果真的失戀﹐用來逼哭也可以﹐但長期使用會使人內傷的...
9/11/2006
On that Autumn morning...
It was an autumn morning, 7 months into unemployment, after completing several video games, and built a few model cars/tanks, I was sleeping. Then, my mom woke me up, in the middle of the morning, she said, "US was under a full scale attack!".
There was so much excitement in her voice, like someone had found Santa Claus. That woke me up, I went to the TV, seeing the burning buildings was really surreal. Of course, there wasn't a full scale attack. But over two thousand people died...
The world paused for a second, then the world moved on. The president in US started a war, then another war. I found a job, then another job. I found love, then another love. Many people have moved on, but there was an autumn morning when people stopped and thought about life.
Hero - Nickelback
I am so high. I can hear heaven.
I am so high. I can hear heaven.
Oh but heaven, no heaven don’t hear me.
And they say that a hero can save us.
I’m not gonna stand here and wait.
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles.
Watch as we all fly away.
Someone told me love [would] all save us.
But how can that be, look what love gave us.
A world full of killing, n' blood-spilling
that won't never came.
And they say that a hero can save us.
I’m not gonna stand here and wait.
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles.
Watch as we all fly away.
Now that the world isn't ending, [it's]love that I’m sending to you.
It isn’t the love of a hero, and that’s why I fear it won’t do.
And they say that a hero can save us.
I’m not gonna stand here and wait.
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles.
Watch as we all fly away.
[And they're watching us
(Watching Us)
[They're watching us]
(Watching Us)
as we all fly away.
Never a big fan of nickelback, but this song was released on the faithful day. Very ironic... and that, I have learnt, is life...
There was so much excitement in her voice, like someone had found Santa Claus. That woke me up, I went to the TV, seeing the burning buildings was really surreal. Of course, there wasn't a full scale attack. But over two thousand people died...
The world paused for a second, then the world moved on. The president in US started a war, then another war. I found a job, then another job. I found love, then another love. Many people have moved on, but there was an autumn morning when people stopped and thought about life.
Hero - Nickelback
I am so high. I can hear heaven.
I am so high. I can hear heaven.
Oh but heaven, no heaven don’t hear me.
And they say that a hero can save us.
I’m not gonna stand here and wait.
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles.
Watch as we all fly away.
Someone told me love [would] all save us.
But how can that be, look what love gave us.
A world full of killing, n' blood-spilling
that won't never came.
And they say that a hero can save us.
I’m not gonna stand here and wait.
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles.
Watch as we all fly away.
Now that the world isn't ending, [it's]love that I’m sending to you.
It isn’t the love of a hero, and that’s why I fear it won’t do.
And they say that a hero can save us.
I’m not gonna stand here and wait.
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles.
Watch as we all fly away.
[And they're watching us
(Watching Us)
[They're watching us]
(Watching Us)
as we all fly away.
Never a big fan of nickelback, but this song was released on the faithful day. Very ironic... and that, I have learnt, is life...
9/06/2006
破鏡…
一個叫完治的年輕人，離鄉背井到東京打拼，遇到了莉香，他們相愛對方，但最後沒有在一起，因為完治回到他的舊愛身邊…
老掉牙的故事，許多人都會為莉香打抱不平，完治現在幸福了，那莉香怎麼辦? 沒人可以回答，因為不可憐就不是愛情故事…
最近，有許多朋友和舊愛復合，差不多有半打的人一個多月前會問我，「你覺得我應不應該給他機會?」，說實在，問這問題的人，多半已經準備復合，就差那麼一點點支持…
但同一批人通常在兩個多月前會提到為什麼要分手，故事都是雷同，基本上女孩對男孩好，男孩愛理不理，說有更重要的事情在等他，不外是工作、學業、或其他女孩，基本上聽起來這份感情好像沒什麼救了…
雖然我讀過幾次劉庸的【我不是教你詐】，知道為什麼要唱和不唱分，但總是看朋友難過不過去，每次都會和朋友說，你要選擇讓自己開心…
所以當他們問「你覺得我應不應該給他機會?」的時候，我會反問他們，你們之間的問題有沒有解決? 他們的答案通常是沉默，但之後會給我一個理直氣壯的答案，「但我知道我不給他機會，我一定會後悔!」，或是一副慷慨就義的樣子，「反正過一天算一天…」
我祝福他們，不妥協的愛情是可貴的，破鏡重圓不論是內咎、習慣、藉口、或是脆弱，都是值得珍惜的，因為每個人都要對自己的幸福負責!
但我還是不懂為什麼不可憐的愛情故事就不夠精采?
老掉牙的故事，許多人都會為莉香打抱不平，完治現在幸福了，那莉香怎麼辦? 沒人可以回答，因為不可憐就不是愛情故事…
最近，有許多朋友和舊愛復合，差不多有半打的人一個多月前會問我，「你覺得我應不應該給他機會?」，說實在，問這問題的人，多半已經準備復合，就差那麼一點點支持…
但同一批人通常在兩個多月前會提到為什麼要分手，故事都是雷同，基本上女孩對男孩好，男孩愛理不理，說有更重要的事情在等他，不外是工作、學業、或其他女孩，基本上聽起來這份感情好像沒什麼救了…
雖然我讀過幾次劉庸的【我不是教你詐】，知道為什麼要唱和不唱分，但總是看朋友難過不過去，每次都會和朋友說，你要選擇讓自己開心…
所以當他們問「你覺得我應不應該給他機會?」的時候，我會反問他們，你們之間的問題有沒有解決? 他們的答案通常是沉默，但之後會給我一個理直氣壯的答案，「但我知道我不給他機會，我一定會後悔!」，或是一副慷慨就義的樣子，「反正過一天算一天…」
我祝福他們，不妥協的愛情是可貴的，破鏡重圓不論是內咎、習慣、藉口、或是脆弱，都是值得珍惜的，因為每個人都要對自己的幸福負責!
但我還是不懂為什麼不可憐的愛情故事就不夠精采?
9/05/2006
The silence after the storm...
I love to emcee events, to entertain a large crowd, to be part of something that is bigger...
Although being recognized right away and bonded with the crowd, the time after the events are something hard to get used to. It is hard to rid the feeling of excitement, and the sudden feeling of a little loneliness. Like the moment you left a rock concert and the morning to wake up to a monday.
Maybe the crowd was never there, or maybe they have never left...
Although being recognized right away and bonded with the crowd, the time after the events are something hard to get used to. It is hard to rid the feeling of excitement, and the sudden feeling of a little loneliness. Like the moment you left a rock concert and the morning to wake up to a monday.
Maybe the crowd was never there, or maybe they have never left...
9/01/2006
丟丟銅...
又到臺灣文化節的時候了﹐每次都會聽到丟丟銅這首歌﹐但說真的﹐聽這麼多遍﹐有二胡﹐有鋼琴﹐有歌唱﹐有其他樂器的表演﹐還是不知道歌詞...
不過它是我最愛的臺語歌﹐沒有太多的悲情味...
丟丟銅
火車行到伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷磅空內。
磅空的水伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都滴落來
雙腳踏到伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷台北市。
看見電燈伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都寫紅字。
人地生疏伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷來擱去。
險給黑頭伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都撞半死。
借問公園伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷對都去。
問著客人伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都我不知。
拖車走到伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷拖我去。
去到公園伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都摸無錢。
拖車大哥伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷免生氣。
明年還你伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都有甲利。
大部份都是聲音﹐怪不得我不知道歌詞...
原版的丟丟銅只有第一段的七句﹐是宜蘭的民謠﹐有人說丟丟銅是一個遊戲﹐也有人說是火車過山洞的聲音﹐後人加長幾句﹐多了描寫去臺北打拼的異鄉人故事...
有人說這首歌像許多臺語歌一樣﹐有色情成份﹐不管如何﹐好聽就是好聽...
不過它是我最愛的臺語歌﹐沒有太多的悲情味...
丟丟銅
火車行到伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷磅空內。
磅空的水伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都滴落來
雙腳踏到伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷台北市。
看見電燈伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都寫紅字。
人地生疏伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷來擱去。
險給黑頭伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都撞半死。
借問公園伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷對都去。
問著客人伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都我不知。
拖車走到伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷拖我去。
去到公園伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都摸無錢。
拖車大哥伊都，阿末伊都丟，唉唷免生氣。
明年還你伊都，丟丟銅仔伊都，阿末伊都，丟仔伊都有甲利。
大部份都是聲音﹐怪不得我不知道歌詞...
原版的丟丟銅只有第一段的七句﹐是宜蘭的民謠﹐有人說丟丟銅是一個遊戲﹐也有人說是火車過山洞的聲音﹐後人加長幾句﹐多了描寫去臺北打拼的異鄉人故事...
有人說這首歌像許多臺語歌一樣﹐有色情成份﹐不管如何﹐好聽就是好聽...
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