Showing posts with label thought. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thought. Show all posts

9.01.2009

Love's Philosophy


Percy Bysshe Shelley
(1792 - 1822)

Love's Philosophy

The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean;
The winds of heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In another's being mingle--
Why not I with thine?

See, the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower could be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;--
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?

- Percy Bysshe Shelley


more poems from Shelley here

6.29.2009

Un Homme Aux Soleils - The story behind


This water pencil drawing was made after a long thought from my trip to Auvers-Sur-Oise for homage Vincent Van Gogh's 100 years' deathin 1990.
Like I once wrote in a prose (UNITAS a literary monthly June-2004):

寂寞應該是自己選擇的吧。
還記得梵谷在給弟弟迪歐的信中寫到奧維的好:
“離巴黎不遠,但是又夠遠到是真的鄉下。“

Loneliness must be a free will.
Remembered Van Gogh mentioned in a letter to his brother Théo:
"Ici on est loin assez de Paris pour que ce soit la vraie campagne, ..."
("Here one is far enough from Paris for it to be real country, ...")

Wherever and whenever the loneliness could haunt one's heart, and feel helpless despite any possible cure.
Auvers-Sur-Oise is in my eyes, one of the most beautiful and peaceful places on earth. Van Gogh has had spent not more than 3 months at this little commune, surrounded by many friends and good weather. Which anyone among us would pleased and contented by it. But the loneliness was like an incurable cancer, and finally chewed his heart off.

That one could be loved and cared by many, but still blinded by it's self-despair.

6.25.2009

We're not ready to see you go




After Farrah Fawcett left us this morning. The unbearable warm and humid day in downtown New York just started.
A friend dropped by and brought me a Chien-Ming Wang's signed ball which quickly lighted up my day.
Work, work, work and listening to the Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat major, Op. 73, Emperor over and over and prepare head out to send a package to thanks the top hairdresser who cut my hair in Cannes.

With no hesitation. I picked the Beaver street post office side of the Wall street to avoid the bad attitude from the close peck slip one.
I was at desk filling up all the papers for the international package mailing. Suddenly people starting to yell and sigh in the back office about Michael Jackson's death. People in the queue calling around and asking their friends and families to check the news. Me & the mail lady were disturbed by the bad news and made couple mistakes on filling the papers. No one believed what we just heard. I checked the news on iPhone. And sadly see articles about his death from 2 rapidly adding to 5 then 8 articles and more.

After all these years. I still know how to moonwalk. I can still sing Billie Jane and I'm still dreaming to dance on the light square sidewalk with white socks. More than 20 years back. Me and a good old friend used to be the one of the weekly attraction of Taipei's Kiss disco by dance like Michael. And I'm sure we all wanted to see him finally recover and perform on the stage again. We're really not ready to see you go.

Moonwalker. We're orphans now.

6.16.2009

Apprivoise-moi !


... Si tu veux un ami, apprivoise-moi !

— Que faut-il faire ? dit le petit prince.

— Il faut être très patient, répondit le renard. Tu t’assoiras d’abord un peu loin de moi, comme ça, dans l’herbe. Je te regarderai du coin de l’œil et tu ne diras rien. Le langage est source de malentendus. Mais, chaque jour, tu pourras t’asseoir un peu plus près… »

Le lendemain revint le petit prince.

« Il eût mieux valu revenir à la même heure, dit le renard. Si tu viens, par exemple, à quatre heures de l’après-midi, dès trois heures je commencerai d’être heureux. Plus l’heure avancera, plus je me sentirai heureux. À quatre heures, déjà, je m’agiterai et m’inquiéterai ; je découvrira le prix du bonheur ! Mais si tu viens n’importe quand, je ne saurai jamais à quelle heure m’habiller le cœur…

- Dit le renard.

Le Petit Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - 1943

You can read the english version here But the translation is far from beauty.

3.20.2009

民權國小 六年八班 Class Reunion


記憶裡的小學生活,
是坐在一旁看全年級花很多錢跳貓捉老鼠的舞蹈,
是一, 二年級穿旗袍的劉老師,
是穿著燙得比挺的綠制服的幼女童軍,
是三, 四年級隔壁坐了導師的可憐兒子,
是後面坐了南海血書, 一家逃命來台灣的小兒子,
是翻著民歌本一首接一首的唱,
是每天到快鐘響才肯去上學的狂奔,
是頑皮過動到被罰的半蹲,
是每天上樓練合唱團的寒冷早晨,
是跟敦化合唱團爭得你死我活的比賽,
是擦窗戶昏倒, 老師開始對我吃完便當的檢查,
是每天看好幾對同學演著瓊瑤式的八點檔,
是和穿着夾腳拖鞋跳高的夏天,
是隔壁同學漂亮又好吃的便當,
是合作社賣的王子麵, 蘋果麵包和果汁牛奶,
是我週六穿流行招搖的五分燈籠褲,
是每天期待看到的長腿田徑隊學長,
是快畢業時, 每天早修上講台唱民歌的我,

PS. 看到樓上的六年十班在媒體上招喚失散的小學同學。 向來對懷舊的同學會完全沒興趣的我, 竟也開始覺得有一點怪異的好玩。
是因為不是自己班級的沒壓力? 還是後知後覺的發現這班上, 也有不少曾與我同過班的同學? 或著是遺憾, 因為分班而跟曾經感情好的同學疏遠成陌生?

3.17.2009

Staring Legless Photographer


A legless photographer. A couple announced while we're having a drink in a bar.
When I first hear it. As I love photograph and I photograph everything, everyday I can.
My reaction was what a cool angle he can photograph. Like Roman Polanski's p.o.v. once he said, or as low as Japanese movies that p.o.v. often from the tatami ground.

Then this couple keeps elaborate how he can move and lift on a table with a blink of time. With my filmography background. My mind starts to fill with a picture about a legless man on the top of the bar. My eye brows frown.
They talk about him with a bizarre enthusiasm like he is the next coolest thing they have found or a new black for the coming spring. My eye brows frown more. Which I'm not sure if they know how they sound.
The man said. He's a good looking guy with many girlfriends...
Many girlfriends? Then my mind starts to have a Monty Python collage adding on girls around the bar top.
I asked. You said he's legless. So he has the lower part of ...? "I've never ask him ... maybe ..." The man replied in trying to fetch an appropriate answer in his head. While this couple is flipping on their blackberry maybe to find if there is any picture of the legless man online. I can't help to stop my memory flashes back to all the legless handicaps I've ever seem. "All" ? That sounds a lots. Yes. I'm not exaggerating.

I start to explain. My generation in Taiwan had a danger rough childhood. We have been told severely not to talk to stranger, not to open door to stranger, should stand at the very same spot and not to follow stranger if got lost etc. You may say you have all been told so as well. But apparently my mom once grabbed me back from a stranger's hand just quite before I disappearing in a noisy and crowded market.
That's how it could happened that time in Taiwan. Some people steal kids and sell or beat the kids up to handicap or blind them for beggar's organization. The couple gave me a pair of strange faces, perhaps wondering what am I going wild again?
A girl was born in Thailand looked at me in searching for words. Like "Slumdog Millionaire" I said. "That's exactly what I was thinking." The girl happily added. Yes. That but a much less indian color was just like the world in a child's eyes in 70's Taiwan. The stolen boys ended up as beggars and the stolen girls will head to one of those whore houses in the dark alley in the old town.

After all these years. I still clearly remember those helpless crying handicap kids in the market as fresh as yesterday. I remember the kids were all about my age and some even taller than me. They just stood there, lied on the over heated lost shape asphalt and stinky puddles. Many of them seriously handicapped in all sorts. Legless, armless, earless, mute or blind. They're extremely bonny and messy with shredded summer tee and stained over size short tied on their tiny waist, even when the weather turned cold and humid. They cried or sobbed, tears and snot all over their lonely faces and weeping arms, cried all their little hearts out every time they've been let out. They were crying for mom, crying for help and the end crying for money.

I've heard a story about a little kid like this, was beat up to handicap so much that once he bumped to his own mother who can't recognize him. The kid cried and cried, grabbed her leg with all his strength and won't let go of the sad face lady. He cried and cried until the lady finally realized from the boy's eyes that this boy is son of her own. I remember my 1st year elementary teacher told the story to the entire stunned class of fifty something lucky kids.

I'm not sure how true was the story. But those unlucky ones didn't find their way back home. Maybe a few among of them, if I dare difference them, are legless and body shapeless, creeping alone side of the rocky road, under the popular area's building arcade to arcade, selling the famous american Green Arrow chewing gums among our feet and legs. How ironic. And still today. The unfortunates are still there. In any traditional market, on a high end shopping street or the worse place like raining smelly night market. And unfortunate us, we learned to live with. We learned to be senseless, and maybe even heartless without any look or even a stare at them anymore. And for me. I feel extremely lucky every time I see them. That I wasn't ended up in those beggar's hand, among those busy walking by heartless feet. Those unfortunate street creepers, same as my age, grew by time like us. And we. Our feet witnessing them grow, gan age, having grey hair. Which I'm sure. They've never thought about to buy a camera and take picture when they pass people around.

Stare? How can you be so sure they're staring at you? Do you know people are maybe more gentle and compassion than you thought? People look at you maybe simply because you caught their attention. They look down at you is maybe because that's the only angle they can apply. Maybe you remind them to appreciate life. Maybe they admire your courage and your skateboard skill. Or simply think you're a good looking man and they wanted to know you better. And you. Take picture of people looking at you without their permission and call them staring at you because you're handicap and you picture them back in return maybe is as leverage act you commit. Don't you think if you give those looking at you people a bit more time maybe you'll find them really sweet and treat you just as normal as anyone else? Don't you know you're damn luckier than the stolen kids spend whole their lives market begging, selling american chewing gums in Taiwan's night market?

We look up to you. We're not staring at you.

ABC News video on Kevin Connolly
Kevin Connolly's website

1.18.2009

Daily Photo Project

I accidentally found this video dated 2 years ago. Off course we can't see is there actually an 8 years daily pictures image by image in this web video, but his work sure deserves my sincere admiration, cause I can hardly do anything repeatedly more than 3 days.



Living My Life Faster - 8 years of JK's Daily Photo Project
by JK Keller


More daily photo project:



She takes a photo every day : 200
by madandcrazychild

1.12.2009

Non Chinese cooks Chinese food?!!


Prove me. Convince me if you can.

Chinese food is the most complete and delicious cuisine in the world.
Chinese cuisine owns countless dishes and most vary tastes from all over the great China, which makes impossible to compare with any other cuisine.
I live in France for the half of my life and love French cuisine deeply. And yet. I can't hardly say I can cook french food, but I know what's a good French cuisine. But still. France is as small as a province size of China. No matter how exquisite the French cuisine can be, it just can't compare with the complicity of more than 10 millions people's five thousands years' daily need.

I often meet western people believe all Chinese eat rice, or they thought if I invite them home for a dinner, they will expecting some bowls of rice (Of course. I'm from Taiwan. So I've been also often believe "I was a child labor to make toys." or "I know how to massage." What a insult!). What can I say? Call them the frog in the well? Tell them that their world is as big as their belly button? Or they're simply too white?

20 years live outside of Chinese world. I've never meet any non Chinese cook can actually cook a really typical Chinese food. I've heard about Fuchsia Dunlop an english gourmet writer who speaks Chinese and learned to cook Sichuan food in Chengdu. Beside I sincere respect her effort to introduce the "Chinese" cuisine to the world, I yet had opportunity to taste her Sichuan food and to be convinced. And of course. To be on the justice of the rest of Chinese. Sichuan is just 1 of 22 (if not counting Taiwan) provinces, Sichuan food is just 1 of 8 biggest cuisine lines in Chinese cuisine. So severely speak. A non Chinese native learned to cook Sichuan food can't considering as expert of Chinese food. Plus. If by chance you know any Sichuan native. You note how heavy their taste are in general. Nothing is spicy enough for them anymore, nothing is typical Sichuan food if is not red, oily, tear running spicy and numb. And it's not difficult to understand that their palettes are probably already damaged by the extremely hot Sichuan spices. Which I'm sure non of any other 7 cuisine lines experts or any 21 provinces people will believe Sichuan cuisine can represent Chinese food. It's like a champion of one discipline in martial art doesn't mean who's the champion of the martial art.

My husband is a big mix of north and south European. He has a long family gourmet background, loves Scandinavian eel, Swedish meat balls, he lived many years in France, Poland and Spain, and he cooks the best and unforgettable Goulash. But even after 13 years with me, ate all sort of Chinese dishes and learned to cook Chinese like the big chef's flaming wok work. He's still far from cooking a real Chinese food. And sure I'm unable to cook any French dishes well enough to call it typical in return.

Because we all know the palette of the taste is based on one's childhood memory. The memory creates the taste in our mouth, and create the dish with the memory and the knowledge. So logically. More vary tastes one experienced at young age, more complete one's palette is. Remember the Japanese movie "Tampopo" about a widow learns to cook Ramen? How can a simple bowl of Ramen worth a remarkable cult Cuisine movie ever? It's all about the soup base, the slices of the BBQ pork ... And with her memory of the best Ramen she ever ate, makes the heroin understand the secret hard work behind a bowl of each Ramen.

And Yes. I've met some non Chinese who grow up in China speaks and acts just like a Chinese if no one noticed the blond hair and the blue eyes. Which I'm sure there is some non Chinese grow up in China, can really cook the typical delicious Chinese food, and can convince me easily one day soon. So please post me a note when you know any non Chinese cooks real Chinese food that I'm craving to try.

11.08.2008

The definition of the president

The President in particular is very much a figurehead — he wields no real power whatsoever. He is apparently chosen by the government, but the qualities he is required to display are not those of leadership but those of finely judged outrage. For this reason the President is always a controversial choice, always an infuriating but fascinating character. His job is not to wield power but to draw attention away from it. - The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams 1979

11.07.2008

亂 - 陳雲林訪台

這次陳雲林訪台, 只能說是從頭到尾的亂。

政府的動機不明確, 在野黨無組織。
對岸官員來得時機錯誤。
許多暴民夾雜在抗議示威群眾中, 煽動情緒。
警察責權不清, 鎮暴警察出動太晚, 而替代役男根本不該出現。

民主社會的民眾本來就有抗議示威的自由。 但是當情況失去控制時, 鎮暴警察也有遏止暴力的方法。 這都是正常的。
而不正常的是。 抗議示威含有個人政治利益的動機, 無組織的失控, 而造成刻意的衝突與暴力。

政府為了安全, 出動鎮暴警察。 但是。 沒有暴動, 他們也用不著無情得鎮暴。
所以人民有權力示威, 也該本分的守法。 政府與在野黨都應該健全, 任何事情依法處理。
不合時代情理的法律嚴審修改, 才是個正常的民主體制國家。
因為。 當國家不健全的時候, 就是外患侵入的最好時機。

街頭運動全世界都一樣。 有正當的訴求者, 也有混雜在其中的職業混混。
當政府不合理的時候, 有合法的管道和地方可以訴求。 
大家在參與抗議示威的時候。 要注意身邊的人, 是否真的與你的理念相同? 是否有混在其中的暴力煽動者?
當群眾情緒被煽起暴力行為時。 冷靜的適可而止則是你我的責任。

雖然置身國外, 但是在國外台胞的心, 每天都繫在網路上, 看著台灣的新聞視頻。
無論在那裡, 無論我們的政治理念相同與否。 都無法接受暴力的抗爭, 與令人淌血的脫衣私刑畫面。
這種野蠻行為。 讓我們看到了人性的污點與文明的失敗。

回想起多年前大家攜手, 敲鑼打鼓的前往巴黎的中國使館前, 抗議他們在台海演習與試射飛彈。
寒冷的冬天, 溫暖的陽光, 每個人穿著大衣和戴著手套的喊著口號。
中國使館前的道路封住了。 ㄧ邊是管理交通的警察, ㄧ邊是全副武裝的鎮暴部隊。
法國特選高大壯碩的武警, 站在面前。帶著頭盔, 拿著盾牌。 與我們瘦弱的留學生形成強烈的對比。
我們喊著口號。 敲鑼打鼓的藝術家的手都磨破了, 喊口號的嗓子也都嘶啞了。
代表處派了人將抗議信函交給中國使館後, 回來向我們宣佈我們成功的傳遞了訊息。
我們又喊了一些口號, 中文、法文、英文都喊。 吸引了不少觀光客與巴黎市民的目光。
難得見面的大家和鎮暴部隊聊了起來, 還順便一起合照, 氣氛好得不得了。
鎮暴警察也讚賞我們的和平。
代表處的人看看申請示威的時限快到了, 便謝謝大家的盡心盡力, 宣告抗議結束。
大家有說有笑的離開現場, 各自回家, 或相約喝咖啡吃飯。

這樣的示威遊行, 讓目的達到了, 讓世界聽到了我們的聲音, 看到了我們的民主自由, 也讓我們得到了尊重。

其實。 陳雲林的訪台來的太早。 但是在世界經濟危機的節骨眼下, 我們不得不讓他心痛的早產。
但這個難得讓全是界都看得到的機會。 因為政府準備不周, 並未先行讓人民有心裡準備, 而糟蹋了。
讓原本我們可以用我們的民主自由和善良的民族性來讓對岸知道, 人權的重要, 食品的把關, 和政治理念不同等議題。
甚至可以讓全是界看到對岸著名的鱷魚眼淚的假像。
但一切都因為國旗被撤, 和個人政治利益, 讓世界看到了少數野蠻暴民的形象。

國外媒體並非無知盲從。 他們是有兩岸專家和有特派記者可以分辨是非的。
然而 All things happened for a reason.
因為。
也許因此政府將有所改善, 也許因此我們將真的團結。
也許有一天, 兩岸會真的統一。 也許會永遠保持現狀。
但是唯有文明的程序, 才能讓世界正視我們, 讓一切理智的進行。
所以這不是互相指責的時候, 而是互相療傷的時候。

行政院前學生的靜坐, 不論帶頭教授們的政治理念與動機為何, 不論靜坐的學生是否有遭人煽動, 至少他們選擇了很理性的抗議方式。
不管是不是有政治動機的教授煽動, 但是學法學政的學生, 不循法律程序卻非法靜坐就是錯的。

集會遊行法

10.21.2008

孔子 - 禮運大同篇 Confucius - Liyun - The Conveyance of Rites


大道之行也,天下為公
When the great way prevails, the world is equally shared by all.

選賢與能
The talent and virtue are elected.

講信修睦
Mutual confidence was emphasized and brotherhood was cultivated.

故人不獨親其親,不獨子其子
Therefore, people regard all parents as their own, and treat all children as their own.

始老有所終,壯有所用,幼有所長
The elders can live in happiness, the adults are employed by their talent, the youths can grow and educate.

鰥、寡、孤、獨、廢疾者皆有所養
Widows and widowers, orphans, childless, ills and invalids are all well taken care of.

男有分,女有歸
Men and women all have an appropriate role in the society and family.

貨惡其棄於地也,不必藏於己
Nature resources were fully used for the benefit of all, and not appropriated for selfish ends.

力惡其不出於身也,不必為己
People contribute their ability to society and not for the private gain.

是故謀閉而不興,盜竊亂賊而不作
Thus evil scheming is repressed, and crimes fail to arise.

故外戶而不閉,是謂大同
So the doors do not have to be shut. This is called "the Age of Great Harmony".

10.08.2008

Sautéed ??!! Which language is that?!

from www.verb2verbe.com


The word Sautéed "I guess" is originally from the French word Sauter. Means jump or here in the cuisine term, make food jump in the pan - fry. So here above the french word's conjugation table. That the verb Sauter is the actual action. The past tense is Sautée. That's what we often see on the Chinese menu in France, or in some Haute Cuisine (high end) restaurant in english speaking countries.

So where is this Sautéed came from?
If we study the word orthographically. "Sautéed" is a past tense of Sauté?
I'm very confused. But it is ridiculously true that in American English. Sauter became Sauté, which is already a misspelled from the french past tense Sautée. And it is not the end. Guess what? The verb in action is Sautéeing.

I can imaging how french speaking people are having a good laugh about it. And since the word is not existed in Oxford dictionary. I really wonder who the heck was the one invented this odd urban word by reason of lack of language knowledge? Simply wanted to americanizing the french or to evaluating the american?

So how about the word "Déjà vu" ? Is there any Déjà vued or Déjà vuing? And how about Prêt-à-porter in prêt-à-ported and prêt-à-porteing? Critiqued and Critiqueing?

5.19.2008

Earthquake relief help!! 賑災需要!!




中國雪災, 緬甸風災, 四川震災。大家有錢的出錢, 有力的出力。

不過"壹基金"深入四川災區了解災情後。發現急需要大量的 口罩, 飲水, 食物, 帳篷, 睡袋, 毯子, 衣物, 醫藥和屍袋。
並急切希望能夠有場商能夠提供捐獻。

China snow storm, Myanmar cyclone, Sichuan earthquake. Relief from all over the world.

But from the Sichuan relief report. They need a large quantity's masks, water, foods, tents, sleeping bags, blankets, outfits, medical products and body bags. And eagerly hoping any factory can donate.

以下為各捐助管道連結 Here you can find the relief links:

壹基金 One Foundation (China Red Cross)
台灣紅十字會 Taiwan Red Cross
美國紅十字會Red Cross America
China Earthquake Donation Guide

4.11.2008

可怕的塑膠瓶??!!


From: MSNBC Today Show

Wikipedia's plastic recycle codes (Resin identification code)

這聽起來很可怕!雖然目前並沒有醫學案例、但科學家已經著手研究、並有100位大人及小孩希接受實驗。望兩個月後能有進一步的結果、二十年後有醫學證明。但是要是不想等兩個月或二十年才知道、到底手邊天天使用的塑膠製品是否會危害健康?
基本上就是:
水瓶環保標號多為"1", 不透明飲料瓶環保標號多為"2"。其他任合號碼環保標的塑膠製品、都不能裝盛食物飲品。
不要微波或加熱塑膠製品!! 讓嬰兒使用玻璃奶瓶!!

1.23.2008

to Heath



It has been a while I was planing to make a big come back on my blog after a long holiday laziness. I've thought to post a qout. about the masterpiece of Dunkirk scene from "The Atonement", and I've thought about to post a very touching scene with Zoe Hall's beautiful voice from "Medium". But till now. Heath Ledger's tragic death.

Honestly say. He's not the stereo type of actor will attract me into a movie theater. I watched his movies was simply because he was in many of good movies I enjoyed. Then on one December evening of year 2005. I was fortuned enough to join an actress friend to the premier of the famous Ang Lee's movie Brokeback Mountain at AMC Loews Lincoln Square theater in New York.

That evening. We've met the director first for a half an hour chat then we granted through the red carpet to the theater's lobby, surrounded by many well known faces and a human cyclone's center Heath and Michelle. The premier was separated in two rooms to satisfy all people invited. We were there waiting in the 2nd floor's lounge where girls and gays were lurking their eyes around to see if Jack is present, but I was secretly wishing to get to see Heath.

A moment later. I see a big boy in a soft trendy coat, goofly walks right to me with a big smile. My short sighter vision forced me to eyeing him for quit a while before I can actually recognize he is no one but Heath. I figured he must mistake me with someone else then when he was just few steps from me, I dramatically stepped away to let him pass by. But since he had such goofy way of walk. He was almost hit me with his shoulder.

Movie ended. We were shuttled to "Park", sat at director's table and behind me was Heath with sweet Michelle on his lap. They were totally cute and in love. Michelle seems very shy and Heath was really keen to her. The little sparkling dressed Anne Hathaway was there too and many other famous faces. Director introduces my friend to Heath, and this goofy guy again with a big warm smile mistake me. I had to flicked my eyes and discretely finger pointed to my friend's direction to save the situation.

I realized from that evening, how he was someone simply happy and very different than all his movie's characters. And all that were his perfection of a true talented artist. As he once said: “I feel like I’m wasting time if I repeat myself.” Here he's gone with countless unfinished business that ironically he might just need to repeat many other Groundhog Day lives. And cruelly left us to a nuance world where things are incomprehensible no matter how wise we grow. Things happened unwilling or pointless. No supernatural explanation nor fact reports can cease us wondering the reason.
- to Heath and his love ones with heart.



Medium S401 - My Favorite Things


Atonement - Dunkirk Scene

11.15.2007

廣合市場豆花


突然想到小時候,每週日陪媽媽上廣合菜市場買菜時,都會去吃的豆花攤。
記得常常在太陽很大、天氣很熱的時候上菜市場。媽媽會把我扔到豆花攤上吃豆花,然後趁我在吃豆花的時候,快快的買好該買的菜。

但是擺在廣合菜市場門口的小小豆花攤,經常擠滿了很多大人和小孩。
我印象深刻的記得,站在攤子的棚影子腳裡躲太陽,傻傻的等著故意慢慢品嚐豆花和粉圓的客人,吃完後很不願意地空出位子來。有的時候,其他的小朋友和大人霸道的插隊,我又得傻傻的等上一陣子。害得幾次媽媽買完菜回來接我的時候,我連位子都沒輪到。嘟著嘴說有人插隊,然後就會看到好幾個客人聽到後,臉不紅但頭涼涼的,臉皮又厚了ㄧ層。之後要是再有人插隊,豆花伯就會罵人。

豆花伯很兇。他會罵豆花婆,罵他那時候還很小的兒女。他的臉,每天都是臭臭的,好像很多客人都欠他的豆花錢一樣。當然,豆花伯並不是對誰都兇的。我常常觀察,但一直搞不懂,我到底是要具備什麼樣的條件,才不會看到豆花伯的兇? 所以我每次都會刻意的很乖巧,很有禮貌,實在是因為我真的很怕他。

我最喜歡坐在靠近豆花桶,但是這個機會對我來說,竟然運氣不好的可以數得出來。喜歡坐在靠近豆花桶的位子是因為,可以在豆花伯每次打開蓋子盛豆花時,清楚的看到豆花伯像武林高手一般,切舀豆花時手腕用勁的俐落。長年日晒的豆花伯一身黝黑,但是他的雙手卻因為豆花的製作而非常細膩。他手持著不鏽鋼刮刀在不鏽鋼桶子裡,小心又快速的刮下兩三片豆花,而且還不忘邊舀著豆花邊罵著人。從拿碗開始、盛豆花、舀粉圓、花生到加糖水,經常臭著臉,從頭罵到尾。不誇張,所有的客人都是戰戰兢兢地“立正“的坐著吃的。不過就是因為他的霸氣和威風,讓我發願長大後,要練好一手切豆花的手勁去賣豆花呢!

我記得,每次豆花伯給我的豆花都很多豆腐,很少湯、花生或著是粉圓。我常乾乾的望著別人吃得西哩呼嚕,香得不得了。而已經因為大熱天口渴的我,常望著碗裡乾乾的豆花,難以下口。只期待媽媽趕快來救我,幫我把沒有湯汁的豆花給吃完。然後豆花伯會瞪著我心虛的離開,順便用台語罵上兩句: 每次都吃不完之類的話。真的是可怕極了!

後來市面上出了手提式塑膠桶裝的豆花,雖然不怎麼好吃,但是可以買回家放在冰箱裡頭慢慢享用。這對我來說簡直是夢想成真了。我不但不用再上豆花攤去讓豆花伯每週一嚇,還可以自己塞在冰箱前,拿一只扁扁的不鏽鋼瓢,在那裡假裝切豆花和賣豆花。

長大後,好奇的問媽媽,不知道為什麼每次我的豆花總是沒湯、沒料的都是豆腐。媽媽說,應該是豆花伯看我小時候實在太瘦了,特意給我很多豆腐,要我吃胖一點吧! 我想想,雖然這不是不可能,但是仍然沮喪為什麼小時候,從不能跟別人一樣吃得那麼開心?

一次回台灣,跟媽媽兩個人決定重回好久沒光顧的廣合市場去吃碗豆花。當我們一走進三民路的路口時,就看了見又新又大的豆花攤。豆花的味道依舊,豆花的口味多了選擇。那天只看見年輕的老闆,是以前被天天高聲大罵,已長大成人的兒女,在豆花攤上幹練的賣著豆花。兒子切舀起豆花來小心純熟,雖然沒有豆花伯的威風,但是功力絕對可以媲美。

我們一如習慣地,帶著戰戰兢兢的心情,安靜的低著頭吃完豆花。在回家的路上,我問︰那個以前老闆還在嗎? 在在。媽媽回答: 有時候經過還會看見他呢! 還是那麼兇嗎?我問。 兇啊!當然。有時候還是會看到他大聲的罵太太,兒子、女兒呢!媽媽笑著說。 對我來說驚訝的是,雖然曾經是可怕的深刻,但還是令人懷念他傳統的豆花和粉圓口味呢!

9.11.2007

So how we faire la bise?


La Bise en France (Karambolage - Arte)
(Sorry the video it's in French)

I just went for a short trip in Venice for the film festival with some friends from Hong Kong. On the last day when we were saying goodbye to our 21 year old, very promising English publicist at the Marco Polo airport, the Asian origin team was about to node their heads for the appreciation before disappearing behind the gates entrance. The young man reaches his hand to our manager lady and starts to shake hands to each one till me, the last. To showing my appreciation of his wonderful and sleepless work, I was shaking his hand and slightly leaning ahead which naturally lead us to a cheek kiss. A kiss on the right cheek is perfectly normal for any non latin background European, but this kid was chaining it a second one on the left cheek after. Maybe it was because we were in Italy. A set of right and left cheek kisses is the least we can apply here.

After about 30 minutes' take off delay and race flying speed with Air France. We finally landed at the CDG airport. My Hong Kong fellows were about to transfer to their international flight and leave me returning to my Paris home. We wave goodbye to each other as usual. Then suddenly my actress friend turned back and gave me a French style cheek kisses with her sexy lips, and before she left, the manager, the hair stylist and rest of the team all claim their cheek kisses one after the other.

This was not the first time or might not be the last time, that a group of Asian exercises the French bise on me. I'm sure they're all very curious and attempting about it when they're traveling in Europe. Yes. Not when they're in Asia. A friend of mine asked me if faire la bise is inappropriate at all to an Asian? Cause this handsome artist gave a cheek kisses to an Asian gay man and he also hug and cheek kissed an Asian young woman. The both kisses were processed in public and the both receivers were completely blushed. After we carefully studied the circumstance and timing and person's character. Our conclusion is definitely Yes. A hug or a cheek kiss it's inappropriate in Asia, to an Asian in public.

"How about in private?" He asked. "Oh. That's even worse." I replied. I'm sure the hug or the cheek kiss receiver will codes it as the intimate relation request if any physical contact or even eye contact involved. I recall several times my Swedish husband makes my Asian female or male friends thought he wanted to sex them up. Scandinavian people hugs to say hi and eyeing sharply into eyes when cheering drinks or during conversation for respect. But after many unwanted misunderstanding incidents, I figured other I need to print a manual to all my Asian friends or I need to warn my man about it. Although I've had some experiences about my husband's scandinavian friends hug me tight after many drinks, which I perfectly know how to handle it, or some european couple friends use me as their relationship booster... That the guy pretends to be very close to an exotic Asian girl to create jealous reaction from his wife or girlfriend, which I find extremely annoying. And I'm sure any of my Asian friends will be very struggled if they encounter the same.

So how we faire la bise?
1. It's really important that you cheek kiss on the right place and on the right timing.
2. The cheek kiss should be on the cheek of course, not close to ear or close to mouth. Any wrong interpretation may cause you reputation. It sounds serious but true.
3. You don't necessarily need to create the kissing sound, or actually kiss on cheek. A gesture of cheek to cheek sometimes is fairly enough.
4. You can also apply some appreciation words or promising to meet soon while you cheek kiss.
5. Normally we cheek kiss on the right or from the right to left if it's 2 kisses. We start from the right is to avoiding unwanted accidently lips to lips and look like kissing fish.
6. And we look somewhere else or blur the eye focus but to look at the kiss receiver.
7. In England or some fashionable people in US is 1 right cheek kiss between friends, or a set of two between close friends.
8. In latin european countries is always at least a set of 2. A set of 3 for good friends, or provence and some other cities. A set of 4 for close friends and family.
9. Beware of some pervert old guys may give a set of 6 to 8 kisses to a young woman or talk dirty near the ear or "accidentally" get too close to the lips.
10. Sometime people make dramatic smack sound when cheek kissing kids or for fun between friends is totally normal.

I remember when I work on a french movie set in the early 90's. I was spending at least a half an hour of cheek kissing of a set of 4 to say good morning and another half an hour to say bye daily to all my colleagues. And ever since i noticed that they often only cheek kiss to female colleagues and sometimes handshake to male colleagues, I realized the cheek kiss gesture is actually a bit sexism and I claimed the justice once on a short film set which broken some male colleagues' feeling and spiced up some female colleagues against me. But anyhow. Now I personally only enjoy cheek kissing between friends or to someone I appreciate. And glad we're not in Russia where they actually lips to lips to say hi even between guys.

5.25.2007

Bible is 'too sexual'


Click on the picture to see bigger view or click Daily Mail UK to read the original article.

5.19.2007

中正紀念堂 Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall


其實我從來不懂為什麼當初硬是要建這個紀念堂,不過1989年六四天安門的心心相連,文化交流的國家音樂和戲劇廳,是深深堪入人心的無法抹滅的歷史事實。 那天趁回台北緊湊的行程中,特別抽了一個小時去中正紀念堂拍照散步。解釋給我的老外老公聽,他也覺得不可思議,不懂為什麼好好的東西要改變。不懂在老外心中捍衛共黨體制的代表,會被這樣無知的報復。國際間,台灣代表的民主立場,如今成為空洞無根的幌子。其實,外省人也不見得挺蔣,但是他畢竟是讓我們無憂無慮,自由在台灣成長,以台灣為家的原因。現在,所謂的蔣獨裁者被所謂的陳獨裁者打壓。一位是讓台灣免於共產黨迫害的,一位是興起共產黨迫害危機的。哎!政治啊! 天下為公的路是越來越遠了嗎?