After my first niece was born, I declared to her parents, “I am not going to buy her any Barbie products.” I wanted to do my part to keep my precious niece away from Barbie. It was not because I was Barbie deprived as a child. Unlike some girls in school, I did not feel the need to have Barbie this, Barbie that. Growing up, I only had one Barbie toy. It was not even a Barbie doll. Rather, it was a fashion design machine. Basically, there are different plates with parts of clothing. One might combine the plates and make a copy of the outfit using carbon paper.
I have not been a big fan of Barbie. Not that there is anything wrong with materialism, however, it is wrong to force materialistic views onto little girls who have not yet formed their own mind. Besides, I am sick and tired of the pink things: pink Mercedes, pink house, pink telephone, etc. Just like Pepto-bismol, very bad taste. Sooner or later, the girls will be asking their daddies, “Daddy, how come we do not own a Mercedes like Barbie?” Or, after the girls grow up, they might demand their significant others for lots of money so that they can live like Barbie.
According to Wikipedia, if Barbie is scaled to actual human size, she would be 5 feet 9 inches with measurements 39”, 18” and 33”. Additionally, Barbie’s original idea was from a prostitute doll in Germany called Lilli sold to adult men in bars and tobacco shops, perhaps similar to the blown up doll idea? No wonder she is so materialistic and has big breasts! How is it possible to have an 18 inch waist?! Anyway, I am having a hard time looking for a good educational toy for my niece. All I can see in the girls’ toy section are pink, Barbie look alike toys. Maybe I should buy the mouth-less cat, Hello Kitty, instead…
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Eye Contact
One beautiful evening, on the way walking to the Boston Common Theatre to meet up with a friend, I was glancing around with my arms crossed my chest as usual. A blonde tall slender man who looked like the younger version of Kevin Spacey (but with a full head of hair) was on the opposite side of the street waiting for the pedestrian traffic light.
Our eyes met. He nodded and gave me a big smile with a nice set of white teeth, the kind of smile that made you feel you have known this person forever. Likewise, I returned the nod and the smile. There was no dialogue, just a bright smile. It was a brief but rare comfortable moment. The walk sign appeared. We continued walking towards each other then passing each other.
Our eyes met. He nodded and gave me a big smile with a nice set of white teeth, the kind of smile that made you feel you have known this person forever. Likewise, I returned the nod and the smile. There was no dialogue, just a bright smile. It was a brief but rare comfortable moment. The walk sign appeared. We continued walking towards each other then passing each other.
Elderly Scooter
Driving home from work, I saw a man in a powered scooter cruising on the sidewalk. There was an old lady sitting in a traditional wheelchair holding onto the back of the scooter. I wonder how powerful a scooter can be. Perhaps, one can have a series of wheelchairs pulled by a scooter just like a wheelchair train. That could be a funny scene.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
大富翁七十大壽
圖版遊戲大富翁今年十一月五日便七十歲，由於在香港長大，第一次接觸大富翁是香港版，第一次一齊玩大富翁的人是哥哥、表姐、還有隔壁的哥哥姐姐，我最喜歡的棋子是帽子，最貴的兩塊地是淺水灣〈$350〉和石澳〈$400〉。如果可以買齊那兩塊地，然後建酒店，等人家來光顧，那就發達咯！
從大富翁這個遊戲學到不少，小小年紀的我，首次嚐到納薪俸稅和入息稅的滋味。想來，有沒有搞錯？！每經過起點，收二百塊，跟著如果踩中入息稅，立即要付二百塊或總資產值的10%，少則整份糧不見了，踩中薪俸稅又要給一百塊，很重稅呀，然後又要交電費，水費，行差踏錯又要坐牢，世界艱難唷。
從大富翁學到香港不同地方地價的分別，例如，港島區通常比九龍區值錢。我到現在還不明白，為甚麼香港版的停車場是免費的，走遍全港都找不到免費停車場，大概是依原著吧。小時候自己沒有甚麼大志，老喜歡在灣仔道〈$60〉、波斯富街〈$60〉、深水埗〈$100〉、荔枝角道〈$100〉和通菜街〈$120〉等地建酒店，賺又賺不多，唉，婆仔數。
對上一次玩大富翁也是多年前，在哥哥家裡，一共六個人，那場遊戲玩了好久，當時沒有人有相同顏色的地，不能建任何屋子，更不能說要建酒店了。突然，哥哥的朋友跟哥哥說：「不如合併囉！」哥哥說：「好呀！」跟著他們就像現實生活中的併購熱潮一般，變成最強的一隊，剩下我們這些小腳色，不用玩了。
PS：順帶一提，今年也是食鬼機〈Pac Man〉的廿五歲生日。
從大富翁這個遊戲學到不少，小小年紀的我，首次嚐到納薪俸稅和入息稅的滋味。想來，有沒有搞錯？！每經過起點，收二百塊，跟著如果踩中入息稅，立即要付二百塊或總資產值的10%，少則整份糧不見了，踩中薪俸稅又要給一百塊，很重稅呀，然後又要交電費，水費，行差踏錯又要坐牢，世界艱難唷。
從大富翁學到香港不同地方地價的分別，例如，港島區通常比九龍區值錢。我到現在還不明白，為甚麼香港版的停車場是免費的，走遍全港都找不到免費停車場，大概是依原著吧。小時候自己沒有甚麼大志，老喜歡在灣仔道〈$60〉、波斯富街〈$60〉、深水埗〈$100〉、荔枝角道〈$100〉和通菜街〈$120〉等地建酒店，賺又賺不多，唉，婆仔數。
對上一次玩大富翁也是多年前，在哥哥家裡，一共六個人，那場遊戲玩了好久，當時沒有人有相同顏色的地，不能建任何屋子，更不能說要建酒店了。突然，哥哥的朋友跟哥哥說：「不如合併囉！」哥哥說：「好呀！」跟著他們就像現實生活中的併購熱潮一般，變成最強的一隊，剩下我們這些小腳色，不用玩了。
PS：順帶一提，今年也是食鬼機〈Pac Man〉的廿五歲生日。
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Shopping
I was stranded in the shopping mall waiting for my car for service. I had the rare chance of going through almost every single clothing store in the mall. When I walked into a store, other than the merchandise layout and the store setup, the first thing I noticed was the clientele. For example, I found the conservative baby boomer generation in Talbots, teenaged girls in dELiA*s, and anywhere in between, based on personal tastes, in other stores such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Bebe, Express, etc.
I am not a very fashionable person. My style is on the conservative side. I am a big fan of the fashion in the 50s like the Audrey Hepburn outfits or the Jackie Onassis style. However, I usually dress very casually during weekends. Jeans and solid color T-shirts are my friends. Going through the different clothing stores, I realized some big things this year: camisoles and cotton wrinkled flared skirts (long or short). I remember those big chunky skirts! They remind me of the 80s.
Typically, in a clothing store in America, there are usually couches and sofas near the fitting rooms. Whenever I went into a store and found men sitting around waiting for their significant others, I smiled. I wondered how much these men wanted to be there. They looked so bored! In fact, not a lot of men are enthusiastic about shopping with women. I know some male friends would avoid these sorts of activities as much as humanly possible. Even though I have plenty of female shopping buddies and I do not mind shopping alone, all of a sudden, I realized how lucky I was to have this dear friend.
This very close friend of mine played an active role when he went shopping with me: telling me what color look better on me, what style and cut flatters me more. No, he was not and is not gay! Growing up, I wore uniform to school. Therefore, I did not have much fashion sense. It was part of my challenge growing up. However, I enjoyed trying on different outfits and had him comment on them. His fashion instinct is usually right on. He was also my quality control guy. He would check for defects on the clothes before I paid.
Nowadays, he is not around. Even if he were nearby, he would always be busy at work. Time is too precious for professionals like us these days. Think of the billing rates! We would rather spend time on more meaningful things than shopping chores. Well, at best, if we live in the same town, I think I still could call him up and ask him what color to pick, but that is about it. I guess it is also a respect of each other’s time. That is why I sometimes wonder why women want to drag their men to go shopping other than a manual labor to carry shopping bags. Unless their men really enjoy shopping like my friend, shopping to them could be an eternal torture.
I am not a very fashionable person. My style is on the conservative side. I am a big fan of the fashion in the 50s like the Audrey Hepburn outfits or the Jackie Onassis style. However, I usually dress very casually during weekends. Jeans and solid color T-shirts are my friends. Going through the different clothing stores, I realized some big things this year: camisoles and cotton wrinkled flared skirts (long or short). I remember those big chunky skirts! They remind me of the 80s.
Typically, in a clothing store in America, there are usually couches and sofas near the fitting rooms. Whenever I went into a store and found men sitting around waiting for their significant others, I smiled. I wondered how much these men wanted to be there. They looked so bored! In fact, not a lot of men are enthusiastic about shopping with women. I know some male friends would avoid these sorts of activities as much as humanly possible. Even though I have plenty of female shopping buddies and I do not mind shopping alone, all of a sudden, I realized how lucky I was to have this dear friend.
This very close friend of mine played an active role when he went shopping with me: telling me what color look better on me, what style and cut flatters me more. No, he was not and is not gay! Growing up, I wore uniform to school. Therefore, I did not have much fashion sense. It was part of my challenge growing up. However, I enjoyed trying on different outfits and had him comment on them. His fashion instinct is usually right on. He was also my quality control guy. He would check for defects on the clothes before I paid.
Nowadays, he is not around. Even if he were nearby, he would always be busy at work. Time is too precious for professionals like us these days. Think of the billing rates! We would rather spend time on more meaningful things than shopping chores. Well, at best, if we live in the same town, I think I still could call him up and ask him what color to pick, but that is about it. I guess it is also a respect of each other’s time. That is why I sometimes wonder why women want to drag their men to go shopping other than a manual labor to carry shopping bags. Unless their men really enjoy shopping like my friend, shopping to them could be an eternal torture.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
How Many Friends Do You Have?
This article reminds me of my vision: racing scooters with my future adult community fellows.
Friends may be key to living longer
Reuters – Thu Jun 16, 12:10 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Looking for the secret of a long life? Look closely at your friends. New research suggests that having a strong network of friends helps people live longer.
Friends may be key to living longer
Reuters – Thu Jun 16, 12:10 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Looking for the secret of a long life? Look closely at your friends. New research suggests that having a strong network of friends helps people live longer.
多勞多得
近日工作比較繁忙：開完一個會又一個會，回覆電郵，再真真正正的坐下來工作，日子過得非常充實，有時連上廁所的時間也沒有，當快回家前才發現：嘩！這是今天上班後頭一次上廁所‧‧‧想得核突一點：那我一整天喝的咖啡，奶茶到那兒去了？！
我並不介意工作忙，只要有挑戰性，應付得來便好了，常常嘲笑自己患了「注意力不足過動症」〈Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder〉，從不習慣悠閒坐著數手指，悶死了。這是否叫勞碌命呢？是否真的多勞多得呢？突然想起麥兜一首歌：
《一定得》
詞:謝立文
一定得！一定得！多勞實會得！唏！
人肥就更加要醒目。
多勞多得，多勞多得，多勞多得，搏命做！
人窮就更加要醒目。
要用兩手搏命咁lar，lar 住碌木！唏！
人窮就更加要谷盡。
多勞多得，多勞多得，多勞多得，搏命捱！
人肥就更加要谷實。
要用兩手搏命咁lin，lin 實碌木！唏！
唔怕輸，唔怕瘀，
人肥就搏命跑， 人窮就搏命爬，
唔怕苦，唔怕死，
為餐晏，為了個家頂硬上！唏！
一二三四五六七......
谷實個手瓜，操硬個腳瓜！
星期一到星期七......
見步上步，憑我腳瓜！運─勁─上！
按此看音樂片段：
寬頻：
http://www.iyellowbus.com/download/Src/rm/gameplay_high.ram
撥號：
http://www.iyellowbus.com/download/Src/rm/trailer_Fast.ram
我並不介意工作忙，只要有挑戰性，應付得來便好了，常常嘲笑自己患了「注意力不足過動症」〈Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder〉，從不習慣悠閒坐著數手指，悶死了。這是否叫勞碌命呢？是否真的多勞多得呢？突然想起麥兜一首歌：
《一定得》
詞:謝立文
一定得！一定得！多勞實會得！唏！
人肥就更加要醒目。
多勞多得，多勞多得，多勞多得，搏命做！
人窮就更加要醒目。
要用兩手搏命咁lar，lar 住碌木！唏！
人窮就更加要谷盡。
多勞多得，多勞多得，多勞多得，搏命捱！
人肥就更加要谷實。
要用兩手搏命咁lin，lin 實碌木！唏！
唔怕輸，唔怕瘀，
人肥就搏命跑， 人窮就搏命爬，
唔怕苦，唔怕死，
為餐晏，為了個家頂硬上！唏！
一二三四五六七......
谷實個手瓜，操硬個腳瓜！
星期一到星期七......
見步上步，憑我腳瓜！運─勁─上！
按此看音樂片段：
寬頻：
http://www.iyellowbus.com/download/Src/rm/gameplay_high.ram
撥號：
http://www.iyellowbus.com/download/Src/rm/trailer_Fast.ram
No Child Left Behind
There is an article about education on the CNN website:
Principal urges teachers to pass failing students
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 Posted: 11:12 AM EDT (1512 GMT)
SANTA ANA, California (AP) – A high school principal asked teachers to reconsider the grades of failing seniors to help the school meet federal requirements under the No Child Left Behind law.
Doesn’t it defeat the purpose of having “No Child Left Behind”?!
Principal urges teachers to pass failing students
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 Posted: 11:12 AM EDT (1512 GMT)
SANTA ANA, California (AP) – A high school principal asked teachers to reconsider the grades of failing seniors to help the school meet federal requirements under the No Child Left Behind law.
Doesn’t it defeat the purpose of having “No Child Left Behind”?!
Monday, June 13, 2005
Extreme Makeover
美國ABC電視台有個流行節目叫Extreme Makeover，香港有線電視台譯作「整容救兵」。節目內容是關於一班整容專家、形象顧問、髮型師和健身專家把一個醜八怪改頭換面，從而改變那醜小鴨的生命歷程。我本人自問並不屬於天先不足的一羣，我不大理解他們的感受，可能整容對他們的自信幫助很大，又可能人家對他們的態度會大大的改變。但如果人家為了美貌才對你好，那就不是真心，不要也罷啦。話又說回來，如果平日可以用美貌而得到方便，那也不錯。
一日，跟一班朋友們聊天，在討論這個整容節目，大家在議論紛紛地講，如果他們有機會上那節目的話，他們想改變自己身體的那部份。有些人想抽脂肪，有的想隆胸，修屁股，改眼耳口鼻的大有人在，想增高，想換一口整齊雪白的牙齒，林林種種‧‧‧我默默地聽著，感到很詫異，原來我身邊的人，對自己有這麼多不滿意的地方，可是，他們並不是醜八怪呀！改甚麼鬼呢？
談得火熱之際，他們轉頭向著我，問我想改甚麼。突然腦海一片空白，從沒想過要改甚麼，於是回答：「I don’t want to change anything. I am happy the way I am.」我不是說自己是甚麼大美人哪，但是，我就是我嘛，實在不認為整容可以怎樣增加我的自信心，自問也不大在意外觀，又不是說自己不修篇幅，雖然某程度上，女為悅己者容，我通常盡量避免打扮得太漂亮，只要順眼便可以了，否則一天不打扮就變成了一隻烏鴉。
一日，跟一班朋友們聊天，在討論這個整容節目，大家在議論紛紛地講，如果他們有機會上那節目的話，他們想改變自己身體的那部份。有些人想抽脂肪，有的想隆胸，修屁股，改眼耳口鼻的大有人在，想增高，想換一口整齊雪白的牙齒，林林種種‧‧‧我默默地聽著，感到很詫異，原來我身邊的人，對自己有這麼多不滿意的地方，可是，他們並不是醜八怪呀！改甚麼鬼呢？
談得火熱之際，他們轉頭向著我，問我想改甚麼。突然腦海一片空白，從沒想過要改甚麼，於是回答：「I don’t want to change anything. I am happy the way I am.」我不是說自己是甚麼大美人哪，但是，我就是我嘛，實在不認為整容可以怎樣增加我的自信心，自問也不大在意外觀，又不是說自己不修篇幅，雖然某程度上，女為悅己者容，我通常盡量避免打扮得太漂亮，只要順眼便可以了，否則一天不打扮就變成了一隻烏鴉。
WGBH Auction
A few years ago, after my oldest niece was born, she started watching TV programs on PBS such as Teletubbies, Barney, Sesame Street, etc. WGBH is the Boston PBS channel. In fact, WGBH was created based on the intention to educate the general public. I, myself, have been watching lots of programs on PBS. In order to support the good programs for both children and adults, I have decided to volunteer at the WGBH Auction.
I read on the WGBH website that they needed help. Not knowing anyone, I called up to see what I could do. That was how I started joining this community. Every year, I would see the same core group of volunteers in addition to the new comers. It is like an annual appointment. We do not talk to each other during the year after the auction. However, we know we will see each other again the following year. Both the staff and the volunteers are very nice.
This year, I met an interesting middle aged lady. She brought to my attention that there was this middle aged male auctioneer who was surprisingly fit. Based on her experience, appearance wise, middle aged men usually do not know how to take care of themselves as well as their middle aged female counterparts do. While hair loss is out of men’s control, they have control over their bellies, their outfits, and facial grooming. However, most of the men do not care. This is some perspective that I did not have.
She also mentioned to me that as a woman, we still like to look at good looking young men as we grow up. This is probably because the middle aged men do not look as appealing as the younger ones. Is this going to happen to me when I become a middle aged woman? Personally, I hope the men in my age group would not come to that. I am not talking about plastic surgery kind of up keep. It would be a shame if they let themselves go by ignoring personal tidiness, ignoring the ever growing bellies.
Another thing that I have learned this year is the loyalty that many volunteers have. This year is the 40th anniversary of the auction. I have met some people who have been volunteering every since the early 80s. Apparently, these are old folks by now.
There was this old couple. The husband was a bit slow in motion due to old age. The wife suggested to him to climb up to the bidding stage to mark bids. Others were so fearful that he would fall, and asked him to come back down. At first, I felt bad for him, realizing that it must be very frustrating for old people. After a while, I realized, even though he could not be as quick as other younger people on marking bids, he could still contribute in some other ways. Roles may be different, but these old people can still help. I admire them. If I could be as engaged as they are when I am at their age, I would be happy.
I learn something new every year at the auction.
I read on the WGBH website that they needed help. Not knowing anyone, I called up to see what I could do. That was how I started joining this community. Every year, I would see the same core group of volunteers in addition to the new comers. It is like an annual appointment. We do not talk to each other during the year after the auction. However, we know we will see each other again the following year. Both the staff and the volunteers are very nice.
This year, I met an interesting middle aged lady. She brought to my attention that there was this middle aged male auctioneer who was surprisingly fit. Based on her experience, appearance wise, middle aged men usually do not know how to take care of themselves as well as their middle aged female counterparts do. While hair loss is out of men’s control, they have control over their bellies, their outfits, and facial grooming. However, most of the men do not care. This is some perspective that I did not have.
She also mentioned to me that as a woman, we still like to look at good looking young men as we grow up. This is probably because the middle aged men do not look as appealing as the younger ones. Is this going to happen to me when I become a middle aged woman? Personally, I hope the men in my age group would not come to that. I am not talking about plastic surgery kind of up keep. It would be a shame if they let themselves go by ignoring personal tidiness, ignoring the ever growing bellies.
Another thing that I have learned this year is the loyalty that many volunteers have. This year is the 40th anniversary of the auction. I have met some people who have been volunteering every since the early 80s. Apparently, these are old folks by now.
There was this old couple. The husband was a bit slow in motion due to old age. The wife suggested to him to climb up to the bidding stage to mark bids. Others were so fearful that he would fall, and asked him to come back down. At first, I felt bad for him, realizing that it must be very frustrating for old people. After a while, I realized, even though he could not be as quick as other younger people on marking bids, he could still contribute in some other ways. Roles may be different, but these old people can still help. I admire them. If I could be as engaged as they are when I am at their age, I would be happy.
I learn something new every year at the auction.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Volunteer Recognition Dinner
The annual volunteer recognition dinner at the hospital this year was very special. Uncle G, one of the Sunday volunteers, received an award. Uncle G is a very dedicated man. Every Sunday, he shows up at the hospital with a cup of tea for Grandma M (not related) before heading to his floor. At last year’s recognition dinner, Uncle G told me that my smile brightened up the whole room. I like Uncle G. He further confirmed what others had been telling me. Excellent!
Two guest speakers at the recognition dinner, a dietitian and a nurse, shared their volunteering experience from the Southeast Asia tsunami relief effort on the USS Mercy. The humanitarian teams made decisions based on how well they could utilize their scarce resources. Unlike in the US where doctors save patients at all costs, they would rather save someone who has a higher chance of survival than someone who would eventually die. It sounds so cruel and sad, but the reality is that they cannot waste their resources. The living condition over there is terrible.
There are two types of patients: tsunami patients and non-tsunami patients. One common illness is tsunami lung. Tsunami lung is an illness originated from the lung. It is a bacterial infection due to the inhalation of mud and water. A lot of people died from tsunami lung and other infections. There is not enough antibiotics to go around. In developing countries, health care was minimal even before the disaster. People suffer from malnutrition. Due to the shortage of everything, nurses are not available at night in Banda Aceh. The families of the patients act as nurses. Imagine what would happen to people who have no family?
To me, survival has a completely different meaning than those who suffer from the disaster. I worry about their emotional state and future living. My definition of survival is on an economical and emotional level. Their definition is the very basic necessities such as clean water, food, shelter, etc. They worry about whether or not they will be alive tomorrow.
It is very hard for me to comprehend that a patient was very grateful when the doctors had to amputate her arm because she was in so much pain. An uncle of a patient, who does not know any English, was very appreciative of what people had done to save his nephew. He asked a nurse to write “Thank You!” on his shirt so that he could walk around and show his appreciation.
Listening to all these, my tear ducts were a bit warm. Human beings can be very simple. Treasure what we have.
Two guest speakers at the recognition dinner, a dietitian and a nurse, shared their volunteering experience from the Southeast Asia tsunami relief effort on the USS Mercy. The humanitarian teams made decisions based on how well they could utilize their scarce resources. Unlike in the US where doctors save patients at all costs, they would rather save someone who has a higher chance of survival than someone who would eventually die. It sounds so cruel and sad, but the reality is that they cannot waste their resources. The living condition over there is terrible.
There are two types of patients: tsunami patients and non-tsunami patients. One common illness is tsunami lung. Tsunami lung is an illness originated from the lung. It is a bacterial infection due to the inhalation of mud and water. A lot of people died from tsunami lung and other infections. There is not enough antibiotics to go around. In developing countries, health care was minimal even before the disaster. People suffer from malnutrition. Due to the shortage of everything, nurses are not available at night in Banda Aceh. The families of the patients act as nurses. Imagine what would happen to people who have no family?
To me, survival has a completely different meaning than those who suffer from the disaster. I worry about their emotional state and future living. My definition of survival is on an economical and emotional level. Their definition is the very basic necessities such as clean water, food, shelter, etc. They worry about whether or not they will be alive tomorrow.
It is very hard for me to comprehend that a patient was very grateful when the doctors had to amputate her arm because she was in so much pain. An uncle of a patient, who does not know any English, was very appreciative of what people had done to save his nephew. He asked a nurse to write “Thank You!” on his shirt so that he could walk around and show his appreciation.
Listening to all these, my tear ducts were a bit warm. Human beings can be very simple. Treasure what we have.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
零食自動販賣機
相信，很多人都有投錢入零食自動販賣機，可是所選的零食，卡住了跌不下來的經驗。眼光光的看著就來到手的食物，懸掛在機中，真是非常的遺憾。一位舊同事很喜歡待人家的零食卡住了，便投錢進機內，那他便可以同時買得兩包零食，等於半價。自動販賣機失靈似乎很普遍，以今天為例，失靈的機率異常高！
忙了一整天，肚子餓了，本來打算留在公司直到把工作做完為止，於是到我那層樓的零食自動販賣機買餅乾吃，手上沒有零錢，只有一張一元美鈔，入鈔票的口不吃我的一元。不受也沒法子，唯有到一樓的販賣機去吧，它收了我的一塊錢，滿以為自己有得吃了，誰知我的動物餅被卡住‧‧‧
拍它不成，搖它又不夠力氣，踢它更不斯文，唉！討厭‧‧‧對它咆哮也沒用，自動販賣機欺負我。可能是天意吧，最終還是決定回家休息。其實，我對零食不大感興趣，可是饑不擇食的時候，那就顯得好矜貴了。下次，到超級市場買一大堆零食，放滿抽屜，但又怕有米奇老鼠和米妮老鼠來光顧，怎辦呢？
忙了一整天，肚子餓了，本來打算留在公司直到把工作做完為止，於是到我那層樓的零食自動販賣機買餅乾吃，手上沒有零錢，只有一張一元美鈔，入鈔票的口不吃我的一元。不受也沒法子，唯有到一樓的販賣機去吧，它收了我的一塊錢，滿以為自己有得吃了，誰知我的動物餅被卡住‧‧‧
拍它不成，搖它又不夠力氣，踢它更不斯文，唉！討厭‧‧‧對它咆哮也沒用，自動販賣機欺負我。可能是天意吧，最終還是決定回家休息。其實，我對零食不大感興趣，可是饑不擇食的時候，那就顯得好矜貴了。下次，到超級市場買一大堆零食，放滿抽屜，但又怕有米奇老鼠和米妮老鼠來光顧，怎辦呢？
Monday, June 06, 2005
Tailing…
Target: Female, in a nurse outfit with long braided hair down to her waist, in her late 20s, wearing a 3M all purpose mask, a 3 inch wide black belt with silver metal holes around her neck, and an orange plastic tube (4 inches in diameter, 2 to 3 feet long) on the back and a backpack.
First Appearance: At the front desk borrowing a pen, mumbling all along with one audible comment, “There are too many people here. It’s gonna stink up the whole place…” Then, the target returned the pen and went off wondering around the premise.
To decide whether or not to call security, Agent Giggles attempted to tail the target. Giggles had lost her for a while. The target resurfaced with an empty cardboard box. Not seeing Cleaning Lady pass by, Giggles continued to follow. The target was about 20+ feet away. Cleaning Lady almost blew Giggles’ cover.
Cleaning Lady: You look so serious!
(Darn… Crap!)
Giggles: Oh, hi… Hi! How are you doing?
Cleaning Lady: I was wondering whether this was MY girl… What’s going on? Everything okay?
Giggles: Oh, nothing. Nothing in particular… Listen. I’m following someone. I’ll catch you later.
Giggles lost sight of the target again. The target kept walking around aimlessly. She ended up talking to a staff in the hallway, and then left the premise. Giggles returned to her post.
The target entered the lobby again, this time, with a black garbage bag on the head and the neck. Again, the target roamed around the building. The last time Giggles saw the target was when she went out of the front door again.
Something was off with the target, but Agent Giggles could not pinpoint what it was. Why was there a big belt around the neck? What was in that orange tube? Why the comment? Why the mask? Why the garbage bag?!
Intriguing!
First Appearance: At the front desk borrowing a pen, mumbling all along with one audible comment, “There are too many people here. It’s gonna stink up the whole place…” Then, the target returned the pen and went off wondering around the premise.
To decide whether or not to call security, Agent Giggles attempted to tail the target. Giggles had lost her for a while. The target resurfaced with an empty cardboard box. Not seeing Cleaning Lady pass by, Giggles continued to follow. The target was about 20+ feet away. Cleaning Lady almost blew Giggles’ cover.
Cleaning Lady: You look so serious!
(Darn… Crap!)
Giggles: Oh, hi… Hi! How are you doing?
Cleaning Lady: I was wondering whether this was MY girl… What’s going on? Everything okay?
Giggles: Oh, nothing. Nothing in particular… Listen. I’m following someone. I’ll catch you later.
Giggles lost sight of the target again. The target kept walking around aimlessly. She ended up talking to a staff in the hallway, and then left the premise. Giggles returned to her post.
The target entered the lobby again, this time, with a black garbage bag on the head and the neck. Again, the target roamed around the building. The last time Giggles saw the target was when she went out of the front door again.
Something was off with the target, but Agent Giggles could not pinpoint what it was. Why was there a big belt around the neck? What was in that orange tube? Why the comment? Why the mask? Why the garbage bag?!
Intriguing!
Sunday, June 05, 2005
A Sunday Morning in the Boston Public Garden
The last time I went to the Boston Public Garden to take pictures, I used a film SLR camera, and I learnt an important lesson. Wearing sunglasses without putting a polarized filter on the camera itself does not produce ideal pictures. Silly me. I was excited that the pictures would come out great because things looked so beautiful when I looked through my sunglasses into the camera lens.
Anyway, there were still plenty of good pictures for the album that I put together for my friend who was leaving Boston. His first reaction after seeing the album was, “Nice! Now, I don’t have to buy any souvenirs for my parents in Hong Kong.” I was speechless! Well, unfortunately, I do not have an electronic copy of the album. Therefore, I have decided to take a new set of pictures with a digital camera.
After numerous rainy weekends, the weather finally turns sunny and warm. It was such a beautiful morning in Boston today. The Boston Public Garden was quiet and tranquil. The swan boats were parked together in the pond near the bridge. It seemed as though time had stopped for a minute.
The geese and some homeless people were still sleeping on the grass while an early risen squirrel was running up and down the tree. I wonder what it feels like to sleep in the park overnight under the stars. Will I be scared? The territorial geese would probably peck me till I go away!
Some old men walked in groups chatting away. What could they possibly have so much to talk about? Bragging about their offspring, perhaps? Younger folks jogged. One guy sat on a bench under a willow tree grading papers. I love the willows. Even though people call them weeping willows, to me, they look so gentle. Their movement in the wind calms me down for some reason.
An old Oriental couple, probably Chinese, passed by me. They were wrinkled; they had gray hair. They had probably shrunk due to old age, but they looked so cute walking along side by side. Even though they did not hold hands, it was still a touching scene. It reminded me of a De Beers commercial where a young couple (with a big diamond ring, of course!) walking by an old couple. That’s precious love right there. Oh, so sweet…
Anyway, there were still plenty of good pictures for the album that I put together for my friend who was leaving Boston. His first reaction after seeing the album was, “Nice! Now, I don’t have to buy any souvenirs for my parents in Hong Kong.” I was speechless! Well, unfortunately, I do not have an electronic copy of the album. Therefore, I have decided to take a new set of pictures with a digital camera.
After numerous rainy weekends, the weather finally turns sunny and warm. It was such a beautiful morning in Boston today. The Boston Public Garden was quiet and tranquil. The swan boats were parked together in the pond near the bridge. It seemed as though time had stopped for a minute.
The geese and some homeless people were still sleeping on the grass while an early risen squirrel was running up and down the tree. I wonder what it feels like to sleep in the park overnight under the stars. Will I be scared? The territorial geese would probably peck me till I go away!
Some old men walked in groups chatting away. What could they possibly have so much to talk about? Bragging about their offspring, perhaps? Younger folks jogged. One guy sat on a bench under a willow tree grading papers. I love the willows. Even though people call them weeping willows, to me, they look so gentle. Their movement in the wind calms me down for some reason.
An old Oriental couple, probably Chinese, passed by me. They were wrinkled; they had gray hair. They had probably shrunk due to old age, but they looked so cute walking along side by side. Even though they did not hold hands, it was still a touching scene. It reminded me of a De Beers commercial where a young couple (with a big diamond ring, of course!) walking by an old couple. That’s precious love right there. Oh, so sweet…
Saturday, June 04, 2005
The Play – Our Town
I saw Our Town, the play, at the Newton Presbyterian Church tonight. I went solely to support an ex-colleague of mine. He played Joe Stoddard, the town undertaker, and his son played Joe Crowell, the newspaper boy. Not knowing the plot prior to seeing the play, I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. There were three acts: “Daily Life”, “Love and Marriage”, and “Life and Death”.
The setting of Our Town was in New Hampshire. It was an ordinary story about a boy (George) and a girl (Emily): how they knew each other, got married, and eventually, Emily died from giving birth. There were minimal props. Characters rose up among the audience. The fact that I could figure out what people were acting, such as a housewife flipping pancakes without a spatula, was amazing.
The first act was okay. The second act, I could relate. Personally, I love the third act the most. It was not totally because my ex-colleague was in the third act. It was about Emily’s death. The way they put all the chairs tightly together on the stage as graves reminded me of how little space we occupy once we die.
While we are still alive, we do take up a lot of resources and space: people’s time, a home, a car, even a cubical/office! After all, if one chooses not to be cremated at death, all one needs is a grave plot and a coffin. Why do people bother accumulating so much stuff? What is up with the rat race and the fighting? It is the process of going through life that matters the most: to love, be loved, and do good to mankind. Perhaps, I prefer legacy over material?
…
Emily: Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? – every, every minute?
Stage Manager: No, the saints and the poets, maybe – they do some.
…
The setting of Our Town was in New Hampshire. It was an ordinary story about a boy (George) and a girl (Emily): how they knew each other, got married, and eventually, Emily died from giving birth. There were minimal props. Characters rose up among the audience. The fact that I could figure out what people were acting, such as a housewife flipping pancakes without a spatula, was amazing.
The first act was okay. The second act, I could relate. Personally, I love the third act the most. It was not totally because my ex-colleague was in the third act. It was about Emily’s death. The way they put all the chairs tightly together on the stage as graves reminded me of how little space we occupy once we die.
While we are still alive, we do take up a lot of resources and space: people’s time, a home, a car, even a cubical/office! After all, if one chooses not to be cremated at death, all one needs is a grave plot and a coffin. Why do people bother accumulating so much stuff? What is up with the rat race and the fighting? It is the process of going through life that matters the most: to love, be loved, and do good to mankind. Perhaps, I prefer legacy over material?
…
Emily: Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? – every, every minute?
Stage Manager: No, the saints and the poets, maybe – they do some.
…
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