WHYTEA Daily

Last day in India

2006-11-05T01:44:00.000+08:00

It is 11:30 pm now in India. My flight time to Hong Kong is 0520 and I will be checking out at 2:00am. Time flies and 28 days passed. It seems many things have to be done and many things are never settled.

It was quite a success for the India project as expected. Really do not know whether there is still any opportunity in Hong Kong after visiting two world class factories (China and India) in these years. Luckily RMB rises recently and Hong Kong can sustain for another period of time.

Lady in the water

2006-08-21T22:01:00.000+08:00

Found the following review in forum

Shyamalan warned his audience to keep an open mind while watching this movie. He released a "children's book" to help establish the fantasy before the movie came out. But the complexities of its meaning are hidden behind its "fairy tale" facade. And like all fairy tales, the depth of this masterpiece extends well beyond the simplicity at its surface. If you have the interest, the endurance, AND YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN THIS FILM, please read on.

This is a story of one man’s struggle to regain his faith and sense of purpose by overcoming emotional detachment and repression in the aftermath of an unfathomable tragedy.

First, consider the name of the apartment complex - "The Cove". A cove is a harbor along a body of running water, a sheltered inlet, like a driveway on a busy street. It is a place of seclusion, perhaps even a place to hide. The complex itself is U-shaped, and has a pool at its center. We can imagine that beyond the pool is the reality of the outside world, the “mainstream” of life. It is unknown, and something to be feared. Night has never made a movie that is so contained, so confined to a single location. The story takes place entirely within the Cove.

Now imagine that the Cove is not a physical location at all, but a world that exists only in one man's mind; and it is completely dependent upon and manipulated by his own psyche. People have commented on how the film's location lacks detail, that it is too simple, nondescript, childish, and unrealistic. This is not a flaw - this is by design. Cleveland Heep is its superintendent – its caretaker - its “healer”. And if the Cove is a product of one man's imagination, then its tenants must be as well. Cleveland has a casual familiarity with all of them. And they depend solely upon him for the mundane daily maintenance of their home - we never see his boss or any other employees. Moreover, the name “Heep” itself might reflect not only the great burden he carries, but also the great number of different “tenants” that comprise his psyche. *It is interesting to note that the British use the word “cove” as slang to mean “fellow” or “man”. Similarly, the word “Cleveland” has its roots in Old English, meaning “cliff land”, and the Clevelands were known as people from the cliffs. It is perhaps an allusion to both Cleveland’s isolation and an image of instability, danger, and urgency – “bearing a great burden, teetering on the edge of a cliff”.

In this sense, “The Lady in the Water” is arguably the most unique, imaginative, and ambitious tale of inner conflict and perseverance ever filmed. The struggle takes place within the secluded confines of an apartment complex, the tenants of which are, in this metaphorical sense, the separate, unique aspects of one man's damaged psyche. And each of them has a singular purpose in this fairy tale of faith, hope, and self-awakening. It is "a bedtime story", one of a particular type that we tell each other and ourselves before we sleep. These stories give us hope, comfort, and peace. We call them prayers.

The Cove is a close-knit community, and its tenants all seem to have lived there for some time. In fact, only two characters arrive during the movie's timeline - Story, the mythical narf, and Harry Farber, the movie critic (presumably named after legendary film critic, Manny Farber). And it is no coincidence that they show up at the same time - they are the dueling personifications of Cleveland's consuming inner conflict.

Story represents Cleveland's fractured and fragile faith in himself, in mankind, and in God. She is the hope for, and promise of, the belief in the unknown. Farber, by contrast, is the skeptic in Cleveland. His character is not simply a dig at Night's movie critics. He is the oppressive influence which closes Cleveland’s mind and forces him to see within "the rules", to accept that there is no originality left in the world, and nothing left to hope for. He defines the rules of Cleveland’s perception. Farber's simultaneous arrival represents the saboteur in Cleveland’s mind. He is the embodiment of Cleveland's debilitating doubt, generated to counter the arrival of Story – his savior, the inspiration for his burgeoning faith and redemption of purpose, presumably sent by God. While Story is the image of childlike purity and endless possibility, Farber is the closed, tamed mind of the adult, limited in imagination, and numbed by the sicknesses of society. These are the main figures in the conflict between doubt-skepticism and hope-faith. Note that Farber "must be very good" at his job in order to have been sent to this place from so far away. He is an appropriate counterpart to Story, who turns out to be of the highest and presumably most powerful status of her kind – a "Madam Narf". He is no ordinary critic, she is no ordinary narf. And it is fitting, as both Cleveland’s tragedy and his purpose are extraordinary.

The Cove’s pool is a metaphor for a man’s heart, once again incorporating Night’s connection of purity and innocence with water. Cleveland initially senses Story's presence in flashes - fleeting glimpses and the occasional sounds of splashing from the pool at night. Perhaps he has just enough faith left to recognize it when it is revealed. And he finds it in the pool, as one might find faith in the heart. She arrives naked, not only a reflection of the vulnerability of the fragile faith she represents, but a vision of the freedom and innocence that accompanies the purity of childlike inhibition. Far from able to embrace his faith, Cleveland is discomforted by her nakedness and gives her a shirt. His journal reveals to her the deep sorrow that presumably has led him to this place, and kept him lost from a life of fulfillment as a medical doctor. She reminds him that everyone has a purpose (a profound statement in the context of this story and its location). But watching Cleveland plead with Story to keep his secret from the tenants of the Cove, we witness the active repression of his pain and his debilitating inability to cope with the loss of his family. He cannot allow the separate aspects of his personality (the tenants) to experience the tragedy. Moreover, his crippling stutter (absent in her presence) is symptomatic of what appears to be Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Unable to experience the inspiration, the “awakening” of her presence, he decides to help her complete her task and protect her from the “scrunt” sent to kill her.

Cleveland is guided throughout by the character of Young-Soon, whose mother knows the ancient story behind this narf. Young-Soon is the child aspect of Cleveland’s mind that is willing to believe in fairy tales. Consider that as she translates the story to Cleveland from her mother, the two characters hear the story together for the first time. At one point, she even expresses a hope that the story is true. Her immaturity, her recurring childish exit line "bye, Mr. Heep", and even her name suggest that she is a child (despite her noteworthy height), and thus more amenable to the tales of magic and fantasy that are normally dismissed by adults. Her mother is uncomfortable translating the story in its entirety until Cleveland presents himself to her as a child. But if she is part of the Cove, then so must be the story itself – perhaps heard long ago and buried in the subconscious, perhaps a complete fabrication, or possibly parts of both. It’s not surprising if you can accept that the Cove exists in the mind of a writer. Mrs. Choi is the elderly Korean woman from within the Cove (or invented by it) who becomes the source of this fairy tale. The adult psyche finds it easier to impede the conveyance of the unbelievable story by creating it in a foreign language and from the representation of a respected but unfamiliar source – the perception of a wise and holistic people unbound by Western convention.

The “scrunt” is the manifestation of the ills and evils of society, and the horrors of which man is capable, within Cleveland’s psyche. It is a monstrous form of the fear and anxiety that has denied Cleveland his ability to right his life since his crisis. It preys upon Story. It comes from outside the Cove, from the unknown reality beyond the pool, and it only fears the Tartutic. The Tartutic are the “justice” for which Cleveland cries out when the scrunt attacks Story on the night she should be allowed to leave freely. They might more accurately be thought of as “fate”, or as that which protects the course of predestination. They are the “should”.

The one man who can control the scrunt is the "Guardian". Cleveland’s search for the guardian is the search for that part of himself that is able to face his fear, to "look it in the eye". When he misidentifies this figure as himself and confronts the scrunt, it attacks him. But only the two new arrivals, Story and Farber, appear vulnerable to physical harm by the scrunt. It’s danger to Cleveland’s own character is not actual “death”, but the threat of the reinforcement of his fear and, consequently, his psychological dysfunction. Consider that when Cleveland is about to be attacked by the scrunt, he suddenly awakens (physically unharmed) with Farber standing above him, expressing his displeasure with some movie he has just seen, and arguing against the symbolic purity of water. Also consider that he is standing between Cleveland and the pool at the time, actualizing a metaphor of a man being denied the purity of his heart by his own skepticism and doubt. Cleveland actually credits Farber for having saved him from the scrunt. But Farber was not the savior - he was the trauma, the damage itself - the stifling of Cleveland’s belief, and the reinforcement of his doubt and inability to face his fear once again. It is a powerful crystallization of how Cleveland’s mind works against him.

Vick Ran (Shyamalan, himself), is “the writer inspired by the Story”. His first words to Cleveland – “The light over my desk is still broken.” You can’t write without light, and it’s something Cleveland has been putting off. But a light is not a difficult fix, and Vick does not seem to be in a rush to finish his book. Cleveland sees the book by chance while repairing the light, and initially dismisses its content after observing its title, “The Cookbook”. But he is soon reminded to never judge a book by its cover (how very appropriate).

Vick’s character is at least as important as Cleveland’s. The prediction of his future describes how his book will have a profound philosophical influence on the world, and how this socio-ideological impact would result in his own death. Vick draws an indirect comparison to Martin Luther King within the story itself; and we are reminded of other figures such as Christ, and of other doctrines, or “cookbooks”, such as the Bible. Vick represents the “purpose” that Story assures Cleveland he has not lost. He is the part of Cleveland’s psyche that is capable of accomplishing great things. Such endeavors, however, expose the psyche to harsh and potentially stifling criticism – the “murder” of the creative mind – something of which Night himself has faced, and continues to face, far too much.

Whether writing “The Cookbook” is the literal greatness, or purpose, of which Cleveland is capable, and whether the death of Vick Ran is the literal death of Cleveland Heep, is for the viewer to determine. But it is a reasonable conclusion, if you extend Cleveland’s role as the “healer” to meaning the “healer of mankind”. In this scenario, perhaps the pain of the tragedy he experienced would be the catalyst and inspiration for this doctor to attempt to change the world by writing a book. Conversely, it is conceivable that Vick Ran - the “writer”, the “purpose” - is the true subject of this story. He is the “vessel” of Story’s inspiration, and the only part of himself that Cleveland can correctly identify before being influenced by the skeptical, closed-minded Farber. He shares Cleveland’s sad and quiet demeanor, his self-effacement - "I'm nothing special". He is single (as are just about all of the main players as far as we are aware), but cannot easily care for himself, to cook or clean, and relies on his sister in this domestic capacity. Of course, he would be unaware that he has ever had a wife or children, as would all but two of the other tenants in the Cove, since that information has been repressed, hidden within Cleveland’s "journal". Cleveland Heep, the “healer”, may not actually be the man behind the psyche represented by the Cove, but only that part of the whole that is responsible for its healing. In this case, Cleveland’s task is to heal himself, Vick Ran – the healer of mankind. Therefore, Cleveland’s inability to satisfy this obligation until he, himself - "the healer", is healed is the true meaning behind this story.

In his search for the remaining cast that is necessary for Story to return to the "Blue World" Cleveland seeks the advice of Farber, the man he erroneously identifies as “the person whose opinion he respects”. This path ultimately culminates in a party (a celebration of Farber's arrival, no doubt!). And it is during what is, in essence, this celebration of skepticism and closed-mindedness that Story (Cleveland's faith) is dragged off and nearly killed. The series of misidentifications illustrates not only Cleveland’s detachment - his inability to know himself, but also the destructive process of another symptom of Cleveland's disturbed psyche - self-sabotage. So it is no coincidence that Cleveland cannot complete this task and accept that he is the “healer" (of Story, his faith) until Farber (his skepticism) is killed by the scrunt.

“The Guardian” turns out to be Reggie, who wears the dog tags of a soldier. He is a normal man that is not consumed with, but only partially occupied by, a need for physical strength. After all, Reggie’s true power is ultimately not physical. Reggie is a representation of both Cleveland’s strength and lack of strength. His intentionally one-sided muscular development not only suggests Cleveland’s inability to utilize (or even identify) his inner strength, but also indicates a systematic, “scientific” maintenance of an emotional imbalance and instability.

“The Interpreter” is originally thought to be Mr. Dury because of his proficiency with crossword puzzles. In actuality, the interpreter is his son, Joey. The selection emphasizes the ability of children to see things with a clarity and simplicity that becomes lost for adults as they become limited by social paradigms and restrictions. In fact, Mr. Dury at one point admits that his ability with puzzles and symbolism is limited to his crosswords. The loss of this childhood ability is poignantly illustrated by this father-son disparity - it is Mr. Dury that realizes that his son (presumably the child version of himself - "I'm gonna be just like my dad") is the real interpreter. The idea denotes the endurance of important childlike notions in Cleveland's psyche. It also refers to a psychological healing process that addresses the significance of childhood perceptions, and the subsequent development of emotions and coping strategies during childhood.

"Someone whose opinion Cleveland values" turns out to be the shut-in, Mr. Leeds. He is the only tenant who knows of Cleveland's tragedy (the only other part of his psyche from which it has not been completely repressed). Mr. Leeds "has been here forever". He sits in a dark room, surrounded by books, staring at images of war on television. His role is somewhat paternal - he refers to Cleveland as “son” (“don’t become what I have”), and encourages him to “not give up”. He somehow sees everything that’s going on around him in the Cove. He is Cleveland's conscience, his conviction - what some would consider to be functions of “the Soul”. He is the inner voice, the moral compass that guides him. Even his name is significant. But he is the part of the Cove that has been most affected by the sins of mankind and the toxicity of society - "I wanted to believe more than anyone". In what is essentially inner dialogue, he questions aloud whether man should be saved - and Cleveland answers that he should be. In this moment, Cleveland expresses a desire to live - to be healed, and to rebuild the trust to reattach himself with society.

The "someone with no secrets" is Mr. Bubchik, the man who is unaware that his wife reveals his secrets. He represents the undeniable reality of Cleveland's weakness, his shortcomings, and his mortality. This candidness promotes a sense of honesty and comfort, a willingness to accept oneself despite one’s flaws. Mr. Bubchik represents that which Cleveland has no choice but to accept. And he provides Cleveland the opportunity to relieve himself of the guilt that has accompanied the burden of his secret. He cannot forgive himself for that over which he had no control - the inability to save his family – unless he is able to openly share it with himself.

"The Guild” consists of seven women, a group formed to protect a common interest. The number seven is prominent in religion and mythology – “The Seven Divine Women” (in Khasi mythology), “The Seven Sleeping Men” (in Christian mythology), “The Seven Mothers” (in Hindu mythology), “The Seven Virtues”, “The Seven Sacraments”, and so forth. And a group of women is a representation of Cleveland's burgeoning sense of self worth - the empowerment of that which is generally perceived to be weak and undervalued (this is particularly true in many traditional Hispanic cultures which are known to be excessively misogynistic). The first scene of the movie (a clever foreshadowing) shows Cleveland trying to kill a "big, hairy" bug under the sink of a Hispanic family's apartment. In the background, we see the family's daughters brandishing makeshift weapons and squealing in fear of the bug. They make up five of the Guild's sisters. The others include Anna Ran, Vick's sister (who acts more as a wife or mother to him at times), and Young-Soon, who makes an early reference to her sister who married a dentist, and who is invaluable in guiding Cleveland along his journey of self-awakening. The Guild assists Cleveland through their “laying on of hands” in the climactic scene involving Story's healing and his own catharsis. The image illustrates Cleveland's need for emotional attachment (more typically associated with women and prohibited for men in Western culture) in order to connect with what he has repressed. Conversely, these women who provide emotional aid in this scene are armed and readily patrolling the pool's perimeter in the next. It’s a testament to the power of women to both heal and protect.

The group gathers together to “bring strength to the moment” of Story’s (and Cleveland’s) healing and liberation. It is only then that he is able to reach catharsis. He reveals his tragedy to all aspects of himself, and releases the repressed pain and guilt that have kept him isolated in the Cove. It is at this moment that he is able to heal and embrace his hope and faith once again, leaving it safe and appropriate for the angelic Story to return to the Blue World on the wings of the Great Eatlon. Presumably, God’s angel has fulfilled her task to save a man – indeed, all of mankind (she is the Madam Narf) - and returned to heaven.

Shyamalan has called this his most personal film - an especially significant statement, considering how personal all of his stories have been. In fact, he has referred to them as his “children”. Criticism of “The Village” stripped him of his credibility for his prior three great and well-received productions. So he cast himself as the writer whose inspiration by the Story helps him escape his doubt and heal his faith. Is “The Lady in the Water”, then, the “story” of his healing? Or is it the story that healed him? Or is it both?

This man is portrayed by many as an egomaniac. Yet he has done perhaps the most humble thing imaginable – he’s created a story of amazing depth and value, but he has left it for the viewer to tie together. In this sense, he has created an incredible scenario in which the story is actually critical of the viewer. He writes stories that he would appreciate, and that a select group of the audience (however small) will appreciate. And he allows himself to be bashed for its simplicity and banality by those who can’t appreciate his effort, content that this inability is criticism enough of his critics. Think of this scenario in the context of this movie! It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in entertainment, and I only hope I’ve done it some justice.

Focal Length of a Camera Lens

2006-07-17T19:32:00.000+08:00

There are three general types of lenses for a camera: normal or standard, wide angle, and telephoto. The focal length of a normal lens for a 35 mm SLR camera is approximately 50 mm. A standard or normal lens produces a picture with a perspective similar to the human eye. The focal length of a wide angle lens is any measurement less than 50 mm, but is typically 28 mm. A wide angle lens makes things appear smaller and distorts the view if the object is too close to the camera. The focal length of a telephoto lens ranges from 60 to 1000 mm. A telephoto lens magnifies the subject while at the same time narrowing the field of vision. These lenses create an image that looks flatter than that produced by a standard lens.

My photo gallery

2006-07-16T22:15:00.000+08:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whytea/

「 Treat separately between those who have closer relationships than the others 」

2006-05-28T10:43:00.000+08:00

親疏有別考起老外

中環權力核心班好事之徒，講完人家屋企張大字報之後，上個禮拜唔再百厭，乖乖學英文。事關呢兩個月煲呔拋出「親疏有別」論，令佢成班自命學貫中西乜都見過精英投晒降，冇人識得將呢四個字譯做英文。大狀 M 同八方講，佢學過唔少英文，亦好識政治，但搜索枯腸，都冇法搵到一個理想譯法，佢唔忿氣，於是四出去求教外國朋友，點知連鬼佬都擘大個口。勉強要佢譯，惟有畀個「 favoritism 」八方交差；但大狀 M 聲明呢個字並唔能夠完全表達「親疏有別」複雜含意，只係好過冇而已。大編輯 Y 聞言亦苦笑。佢英文大報返工，成日遇到呢個難題，每次都束手無策；見到個夥計寫「 Treat separately between those who have closer relationships than the others 」就晒頭唔知點算。佢好坦白咁話：最好方法就係避開呢四個字！咁香港假假都係國際都會，咁多人讀咁多書，冇理由畀四個中文字考起。煲呔既然上得電台公開宣傳呢個偉大概念，完全當胡錦濤主席「團結香港廣大民眾」最高指示冇到，復又在立法會洋洋灑灑用成二千字教訓單仲偕乜係「親疏」，咁政府當然對呢個「有別」做法好有研究，咁佢點繙譯呢？
八方努力做功課，上網搜尋政府文獻，點知搵極都冇譯本。連特首在立法會答問記錄都只有中冇英！打電話問政府中人，佢就嗌晒救命；問文化界高手，個個答案都係你唔好考我，睇最後都要古德明老師出手至得。諗深一層，英國人唔識「親疏有別」，英文冇法子譯出呢個意思，有深層文化因素，事關人真正政治家，奉行公平公正原則，點會講親疏，更加唔會講咩「選擇做反對派 … … 以削弱政府的民望、威信為目的」失禮人說話。不過，親疏有得別冇得譯對煲呔政府亦有好處，就係你想國際上揭露呢所謂「政治家」醜態，都唔知點講好？

達文西密碼

2006-05-28T10:41:00.000+08:00

星期天休息：密碼狂想外的亂世危機
《達文西密碼》在歐美掀起一場文化風暴。廷譴責，信眾惶惑，消費者癡迷，出版社賺大錢。雖然剛過了千禧年，但道淪德喪，禮崩樂壞，但混亂之中，美帝國呈現衰退凶象，中東的異端恃核行兇，《達文西密碼》對耶文明的根基，百年罕見，對於全世界，都絕非吉兆。對耶穌身世的質疑，《達文西密碼》絕非首創，小說故事的藍本《聖血聖杯錄》在二十多年前出版，也遠未構成今日的大糾紛。關於耶穌其人，戰後有許多荒唐的托臆附會之作，例如一九六三年，有一本論著《踰越大陰謀》（ The Passover Plot ），指耶穌根本沒有釘十字架，在最後一刻換了一個替身，也曾經一度暢銷，音樂劇《萬世巨星》和電影《基督最後的誘惑》更不在話下。為甚麼《達文西密碼》造成的爭議比幾十年來的各種耶穌怪談更烈？因為作者善於包裝。由家傳戶曉的名畫《蒙娜麗莎》開始，作者把普世的讀者帶來一座大莊園的鐵閘；走進花園，《最後的晚餐》是園中邸宅的台階；《岩間聖母》是那道拱門，然後才是甚麼聖殿騎士、天主的主業會、黃金分割線，迴廊階，走進幽暗的核心。這一切又加了一層羅浮宮的包裝紙，由一宗謀殺案說起。作者說故事的技巧高明，布局精妙，小說的結構如殿堂建築，不像從前類似的作品一樣開門見山，抬頭就是耶穌，而是把十字架之謎埋藏得很深，三步一樓，五步一閣，移步換景，引領讀者和觀眾尋找一線天。《達文西密碼》在西方造成的思想混亂，亦屬空前，不只是小說家之狡獪，而是耶穌這個人神之間的聖偶的曖昧。在信仰和信史間，四大福音只是一堆自相矛盾的傳聞軼說，兩千年前，在巴勒斯坦這個地方，到底發生了甚麼事？與耶穌同期的人物如希律王和羅馬帝國的凱撒，在歷史上都確有其人，耶穌是一個精神的革命家，在加利利的荒漠上行走，吸引了幾百信眾，在歷史上又確有其事。但神的行使、復活的異象，卻虛實相間，同時交織在史實的山海之間，有如彩虹，顧盼在有無之間，首先要把史實搞清楚，才輪到論證神，耶穌是人類千古的第一謎，因為這是信仰和信史之間的一場未竟之戰，也可能是迷信和科學的一場漫長之爭。《達文西密碼》的問題卻是：既想挑戰信仰，卻又缺乏信史的考據，作者有科學論證的包裝，沒想到自己卻製造了一場新的迷信。想求證耶穌是一個凡人，不是不可以，在丹布朗之前，許多人都在做。《達文西密碼》故事的重心，在於「郇山隱修會」（ The Priory of Sion ）這個組織，因為作者說這個組織成立於十六世紀，一直保護耶穌後裔這個絕密，並指科學家牛頓和小說家雨果都是會員，事實上這個組織卻是六十年代一個法國人的偽作，連 BBC 也上了當，以此為本拍了一部紀錄片，《聖血聖杯錄》以訛傳訛而大事渲染。如果這個組織是假的，則有如樓廈的地基是一片浮沙，《達文西密碼》也是滿紙胡言，且不論其他托偽之處，如蘇格蘭愛丁堡的羅思林堂（ Rosslyn ），不是甚麼「玫瑰線」（ Rose Line ）諧音，而是蘇格蘭詞「山」（ Ross ）和水（ Lynn ）的合稱一類小謬誤。對於《最後的晚餐》的解讀，指坐在耶穌右側的就是他的情人，反而無傷大雅，因為這只是一個觀點。《達文西密碼》把觀點、事實、想像交相拌雜，編造了一堆五彩繽紛的肥皂泡沫。這就不止一部虛構的小說（ Fiction ），而是一個謊言（ Lie ）。區分小說和謊言，在於作者的誠意。因為事關信仰，影響重大，廷要求電影在前頭加上聲明：「本片故事純屬虛構」，有如香煙包上加上「吸煙危害健康」，完全合情合理，然而作者和編導卻一口拒絕，這就顯示了陰暗的動機。把利益置於公義之上，在資本主義世界也經常發生，但對於耶文明的國本問題，小說作者和電影公司卻如此寡廉薄恩，唯利是圖，以顛覆為樂，是太過份了。根據民意調查，有七成美國民意認為小說的結論是真的。耶穌如果是人而不是神，其實與釋迦、孔子、老子一樣，不代表其信仰價值觀在一夜之間破產，但《達文西密碼》舉證不足，歪曲事實，又不肯一再申明是小說家的奇想虛構，當「反智」漸成一種普世現象，大眾的思辯能力薄弱，東西方之間只有程度之分，並無本質之別，則一部小說成為災星，預示了一個亂世的降臨。離經叛道的文藝先行，打破信仰，重建秩序，為一個動盪的世紀吹響號角，二百年來已屢見不鮮。十八世紀盧梭的《懺悔錄》和社會契約思想，引爆了法國大革命，預示了拿破崙登台；十九世紀末布蘭史托克（ Bram Stoker ）的《吸血殭屍》與佛洛伊德心理學與列寧的革命論說一同面世，登場的是兩次世界大戰和共產主義。《達文西密碼》的破壞力遠遠更為嚴重，揭幕的二十一世紀到底是甚麼？是核戰還是世界的毀滅？蒙娜麗莎的微笑，是不是一首密碼中的輓曲？

男指女愛錢女嫌男太壞

2006-05-28T10:32:00.000+08:00

相睇派對　互數缺點男指女愛錢女嫌男太壞
【本報訊】香港男女愈來愈「睇唔起」對方。交友公司「 214 Dating 」昨安排 30 名單身男女舉行相睇派對，透過茶及集體遊戲讓他們尋找人生路上的另一半，但有女參加者批評現今港男「太壞」，花心兼無上進心，很難找到如意郎君；男參加者則指港女「太不實際」，諸多要求，不排除北上找伴侶。　記者：馮永堅

香港近年興起相睇派對，三名二十三、四歲的小妮子昨也來湊熱鬧，碰碰運氣看是否遇到理想對象。在香港專業教育學院就讀酒店管理的 Gloria 說，香港男性實在有太多壞習慣，因此多年來只能拍散拖，未能找到結婚對象，「男人食煙、飲酒、講大話通通都齊，咁點會相處得好，點會有好結果。」坐在 Gloria 身旁的 Carol 則接說，無上進心、安於現狀是港男不獲港女接受的主因。
港女經濟過於獨立從事資訊科技工作，月薪約 3 萬元的 Michelle 擁 5 呎 7 吋半高身材，驟眼看似模特兒多於白領儷人。有多次拍拖經驗的 Michelle 說，港男做事不主動，很多事情都不願下決定，「約食飯次次都唔話去邊度食，甚至要約佢先去，咁點相處。」她說，以自己的條件不太擔心找不到合適男友，故不會退而求其次「亂咁揀」。但從事金融策劃的男參加者 Wizer 說，港女性思想及經濟過於獨立，令她們依靠男性的機會減少，也令男士找對象拍拖難度大增。他指，很多女性都要求伴侶高學識、賺錢多，是不實際。
醫生律師也靠相睇
 「 214 Dating 」的負責人 Tammy 說，現有的 700 名會員中，有 400 人是女性，反映女性較難找到伴侶。她指，參加相睇派對未必全是中年發福或「無人要」的男女，一些月薪達六、七萬元且樣貌討好的醫生、律師，因工作太忙關係，也會靠相睇派對結識異性。

迷失決勝分 again

2006-05-28T10:27:00.000+08:00

2006年05月28日always on sunday ：活地阿倫和杜斯妥也夫斯基
李歐梵　美國哈佛大學榮休教授香港中文大學客座教授

看完活地阿倫的影片《迷失決勝分》（ Match Point ），我回家立刻到書房中去找那本破舊不堪的杜斯妥也夫斯基名著《罪與罰》的英譯本，遍尋未獲，只好等到第二天匆匆去書店買了另一個新譯本，於是迫不及待地找到該書第一部最後一章（第八章）仔細閱讀：故事的主角拉斯科尼可夫闖進那個開當舖的老女人公寓，用斧頭把她殺了，剛從她頸上搶了錢包，不巧她妹妹突然回來，於是又把她劈死了，前者是預謀，後者是偶然，不得不滅口。這一段「經典」故事也是《迷失決勝分》的關鍵，影片中的這段情節直接引自小說中的這一章。活地阿倫真是了不起，非但不掩飾他的「抄襲」行為，而且在片子開始不久就暴露用心，讓男主角睡在床上看《罪與罰》！一個出身貧庸的網球練竟然喜歡聽歌劇和看杜斯妥也夫斯基的小說，真有點匪夷所思，也是這部出色影片唯一不合情理的細節，因此我特別喜歡。當然故事已經完全改頭換面，發生在當今的英國上流社會，而十九世紀的《罪與罰》，也變成了廿一世紀的情與慾、階級和身份、一男和二女之間的糾紛。活地對俄國小說的嚮往早在他的一部舊片《愛與死》（ Love and Death, 1975 ）中已經展露無遺，但表現的是他一貫的反諷和自嘲的手法，活地在片中演一個俄國知識分子，滔滔不絕地高談闊論，但行動起來卻笨手笨腳，這是他早期影片的特色。他和黛安基頓相戀以後，珠連璧合，在片中的自我形象也開始瀟灑起來，雖然穿依然不修邊幅，但顯然贏得她的芳心，在《 Annie Hall 》一片中更大談文學和電影，儼然以紐約知識分子自居。後來和黛安基頓分手，愛上美雅法羅，於是又把這個新歡變成自己影片的女主角，故事的範圍廣了，美雅演得也的確出色，但知識的氣息卻相對減少了。近年來他的作風又有所改變，雖娶了一個比他年輕三十歲的韓國嬌妻，但歲月不饒人，已經無法自任主角，這部《迷失決勝分》就是他從幕前功成身退，專職作編導的作品，而且故事也從紐約搬到倫敦。喜歡活地阿倫的美國觀眾也往往是典型的東部知識分子，看他在影片中大談哲學、文學或其他電影經典，邊笑邊點頭，覺得這是一種很有趣的知識遊戲。香港觀眾呢？我不得而知，至少也有少數「活地迷」吧，否則此片不會在香港電影節演出後立刻在商業影院上演，我看的那一場院內也有數十位觀眾。但既迷活地又迷俄國小說的人恐怕絕無僅有，我偏偏算是其中之一，倒不是故意附庸風雅，而是因為我本來就喜歡各種經典，而看到在影片中引經據典的場面和機會也愈來愈少了。現在荷李活大片的趨勢只是在複製和重拍，拍來拍去，耗資愈來愈多，我看來卻愈來愈倒胃口，看完《職業特工隊》三集後再看《迷失決勝分》（我實在不喜歡這個不倫不類的譯名），真有點喜出望外。更令我佩服的是：活地在片中照樣向不少經典名片致敬，包括喬治史蒂芬斯（ George Stevens ）導演的《郎心如鐵》（ A Place in the Sun, 1951 ），二片故事如出一轍，劇情也是述一個登徒子（蒙哥馬利克里夫）如何為了娶富家女（伊莉莎白泰萊）而把窮家女情婦（莎莉雲德絲）淹死，而且故事是改編自德萊塞（ T. Dreiser ）的名著。又有網上影評家認為活地在此片中學法國新潮導演夏布洛（ Claude Chabrol ），我認為學的是另一位名匠路易馬勒（ Louis Malle ），我剛剛重看他死前的那部作品《烈火情人》（ Damage, 1993 ），覺得震撼萬分，也是一個慾情和死亡的故事，也發生在倫敦的上流社會，此二片無論在氣勢、美工和場景調度上都有不少相似之處。然而活地的新片最吸引我的地方還是《罪與罰》。犯了罪殺了人，是否應該受到懲罰？杜斯妥也夫斯基和活地阿倫自有不同的說法，且容我略作比較一番。活地在另一部作品《 Crimes and Misdemeanors 》（犯罪與過失， 1989 ）中已經開始探討罪與罰的問題，故事的一條主線也是一個醫生謀殺情婦，但事後沒有受到法律制裁。《決勝分》如法炮製，但片中毫無插科打諢的場面，而且戲情環環相扣，十分嚴肅。《迷》片中的男主角是個網球練，卻在網球場上認識一個英國富家子弟，從此攀上榮華富貴，與富家子之妹結婚，卻又對他朋友的未婚妻發生慾情，這個出身低賤的美國情婦和他打得火熱後懷了孕，步步進逼，要暴露真相，逼他離婚，於是他想出一個謀殺情婦的辦法，靈感即得自杜翁的小說。他帶了獵槍，借故走進情婦所住的那幢公寓的老女房東屋，先把她殺了 ─ ─ 這一段完全抄自《罪與罰》，只是所用的兇器不同而已 ─ ─ 然後再把剛進門的情婦也一槍打死，造成一個謀財害命的假象，活地的手法聰明之處就在於把原作中的「偶然」變成預謀的一部份，如此才可以嫁禍而脫身。在杜翁小說中的那個當舖婆的弱智妹妹完全是無謂的犧牲品，而在活地影片中反賓為主，「偶然」成了必然，但仍然保持了小說中另一個偶然的因素：杜翁在小說緊要關頭，當調查步步進逼接近真相時，卻安排了另一個狂人假認罪，真正的兇手反而得到解脫。然而在活地的影片中，這個杜翁小說的偶然因素卻成了《決勝分》的主題：一個人命運中的幸與不幸，是否就在於這個「 Match Point 」？像打網球一樣。在影片中，殺人的男主角從出租婆手中拿下來的金戒指（小說中是頸上的錢包）成了最關鍵的物證，他最後的一擲，沒有把戒指丟到河，卻落在河畔被另一個吸毒者撿去了，而此人剛好又因謀財害命而被殺，這一個偶合扭轉了主角一生的命運，令他可以逍遙於法網之外。活地在片子開頭以旁白方式大談所謂「幸運」的哲學問題，我卻在杜翁小說中遍尋不獲，即使有，也不會把這種偶合式的幸與不幸作為人生意義的真諦。如果你看過《罪與罰》，你就知道這第一部結尾的謀殺高潮只是全書情節的開始，後面還有五百多頁描述拉斯科尼可夫的種種遭遇和良心上的譴責。心靈上的犯罪，才是杜翁小說的內在意涵，人世間的律法只不過是「理性」制度的表徵，終極的贖罪不在坐監，而在於個人良心和上帝的溝通，但這個過程更艱苦，因為杜翁信仰的俄國正的義更注重修煉，俗世只不過是一個「磨練場」，而人生的意義就在於求得救贖。然而杜翁小說偉大之處，不在於說，而是他對於俗世人 ─ ─ 特別是知識分子 ─ ─ 的心理分析和理性批判，而且刻畫得入木三分，精細入微，各個角色幾乎可以獨立存在，甚至不聽原作者的宗意旨。在這一方面表現得最淋漓盡致的，也是他最偉大的一本小說 ─ ─ 《卡拉瑪佐夫兄弟》；《罪與罰》只不過是一個「前奏曲」而已。在小說的後半部，拉斯科尼可夫在受盡良心折磨之後終於向警方自首，被貶配到西伯利亞受八年苦刑，這算是一個最輕的懲罰，他最後也從一個自願隨他到西伯利亞的妓女的愛心中得救。記得我初看此書到了這個尾聲時，早已感動得流下淚來。此一時也彼一時也！這種救贖方法和哲學思考模式，除了學者和宗家之外，還有誰敢去領？美國電影界恐怕也只剩下活地阿倫了。《迷失決勝分》的結尾頗為隱晦，表面上男主角得了「勝分」，但此後他是否可以無憂無慮地活下去？我看絕不盡然，因為片中最後的一個鏡頭，已經呈現出一種無奈，其實指涉的就是一種道德困境 ─ ─ 男主人翁今後的一生將被困在一個表面上看似幸福的婚姻而萬劫不復，永遠得不到救贖。在這個資本主義的世俗世界，結局也只好如此。

Are the posts outsourced to India?

2006-05-06T02:11:00.000+08:00

電腦醫療業最吃香美「求才若渴榜」十佔其九05/05/2006

踏入五月，又是畢業生搵工的季節。若然感到前路茫茫，不妨考慮美國有線新聞網絡與《商業2.0》雜誌合作調查所得的十大吃香工作。雜誌預測各行業在未來八年的發展，並列出從今年起到二○一四年職位增幅最多的十項工作。

電腦行業方興未艾，數據分析員、軟件工程師和網絡管理員均打入十大，顯示市場急需科技人才。只有醫療業能與電腦界抗衡，隨美國社會人口老化，以及大批在二戰後嬰兒潮出世的人踏入退休年齡，與醫學相關的專業人士成了奇貨可居的人才，雜誌估計醫療助理、職業治療師、醫藥科學家等需求大幅上升。另外，政府近年實行普及桝育，大學講師排名第十，是電腦及醫療以外，唯一打入十大的職業。

成功皆因死好命

2006-05-02T00:33:00.000+08:00

一般而言，成功的人多相信「有為」，以為自己的成功乃由自己的努力得來，只要自己繼續努力，就會繼續成功。久而久之，還會沾沾自喜，以為自己已掌握了一套成功之道，立功之後還想立言，把自己的成功之道四處吹噓，甚至結集成書，希望可以留傳後世。
在一般人的心目中，我也算是白手興家，成就了一番事業，所以常有不同的團體邀請我去介紹成功之道。然而，我愈是思考成功之道，愈感到恐懼。我不相信，別人沿著我以前走過的路就可以成功，就是讓自己由頭再來一次，也不保證一定也會成功。
世人常把先後關係誤作因果關係，把先發生的事誤以為是後發生的事的原因，以為做一次先發生的事，就會再出現後發生的事。但在現實世界裡，這並非必然。
某人在澳門贏了錢，發覺當日原來自己穿了一對不同顏色的的襪子，他就以為只要下次再穿鴛鴦襪去澳門，他就可以再度贏錢。讀者可不要以為他的想法可笑，其實人類所總結出來的成功之道，大部分與此差不多。
現實世界的成功，都是在某一個時空下產生的，時空變了，以前成功的做法，在新的時空下就不成功了。人類無法把時空再做，等於人類無法必然成功。
科學實驗之所以能夠成功，是因為我們可以操控實驗室的環境。但人類生活的環境遠較實驗室裡複雜，一切都在不斷變化，並且會互為影響，有很多不可預測的偶然因素。而這些偶然因素的出現，對成功與否一樣可以產生重大影響。此之所以，成功的人也一樣會相信命理、風水之類的東西。
我並非鼓吹迷信，我自己對這類東西是完全不相信的。我只是認為，人不應貪天之功以為己力，過份迷信以前的成功之道，那就會令到一個人自以為是，胡作妄為，不尊重天道，以致自投末路。
我之所以會日漸趨向「無為」，就是因為年輕時過份傾向有為，以為只要自己肯努力，事情總會有成功的一天。到年紀長大了，遇到的挫折多了，才知道世事有它自己演變的規律，人能產生的影響其實不多。
我認識一些朋友，人比我聰明，付出的努力也不比我少，但總是時運不濟，至今仍時鬱鬱不得志。這才令我相信，成功的背後除了有一番努力外，還需要有「死好命」。一個相信自己已掌握成功之道的人就會偏向驕傲，相反，一個相信自己是死好命的人會比較謙虛。人肯謙虛，才知道自己有所不知，才有接受新知識的能力，才能在人生的路上不斷前進。過度迷信過去的成功之道，只會令自己停滯不前，最後只能靠想當年渡日子。
(轉載自 2006年 4月 19日 am730 C觀點 )

match point

2006-05-01T13:10:00.000+08:00

classic small man movie from Woody Allen.
A great cult film

33

2006-05-01T13:09:00.000+08:00

Not easy to remember my age.
Just write it down.

Torch

2006-03-09T23:36:00.000+08:00

Just received the recent torch.
Glad to see an interview of a Ying Wa old boy.
He was my apprentice and he received
a PhD few years ago.

人生致命的8个经典问题

2006-02-14T01:17:00.000+08:00

I saw this article twice in this week in different channels.

问题一：如果你家附近有一家餐厅，东西又贵又难吃，桌上还爬着蟑螂，你会因为它很近很方便，就一而再、再而三地光临吗？　　回答：你一定会说，这是什么烂问题，谁那么笨，花钱买罪受？　　可同样的情况换个场合，自己或许就做类似的蠢事。　　不少男女都曾经抱怨过他们的情人或配偶品性不端，三心二意，不负责任。明知在一起没什么好的结果，怨恨已经比爱还多，但却“不知道为什么”还是要和他搅和下去，分不了手。说穿了，只是为了不甘，为了习惯，这不也和光临餐厅一样？　　——做人，为什么要过于执著？！　　
问题二：如果你不小心丢掉100块钱，只知道它好像丢在某个你走过的地方，你会花200块钱的车费去把那100块找回来吗？　　回答：一个超级愚蠢的问题。　　可是，相似的事情却在人生中不断发生。做错了一件事，明知自己有问题，却怎么也不肯认错，反而花加倍的时间来找藉口，让别人对自己的印象大打折扣。被人骂了一句话，却花了无数时间难过，道理相同。为一件事情发火，不惜损人不利已，不惜血本，不惜时间，只为报复，不也一样无聊？　　失去一个人的感情，明知一切已无法挽回，却还是那么伤心，而且一伤心就是好几年，还要借酒浇愁，形销骨立。其实这样一点用也没有，只是损失更多。　　——做人，干吗为难自己？！　　
问题三：你会因为打开报纸发现每天都有车祸，就不敢出门吗？　　回答：这是个什么烂问题？当然不会，那叫因噎废食。　　然而，有不少人却曾说：现在的离婚率那么高，让我都不敢谈恋爱了。说得还挺理所当然。也有不少女人看到有关的诸多报道，就对自己的另一半忧心忡忡，这不也是类似的反应？所谓乐观，就是得相信：虽然道路多艰险，我还是那个会平安过马路的人，只要我小心一点，不必害怕过马路。　　——做人，先要相信自己。　　
问题四：你相信每个人随便都可以成功立业吗？　　回答：当然不会相信。　　但据观察，有人总是在听完成功人士绞尽脑汁的建议，比如说，多读书，多练习之后，问了另一个问题？那不是很难？　　我们都想在3分钟内学好英文，在5分钟内解决所有难题，难道成功是那么容易的吗？改变当然是难的。成功只因不怕困难，所以才能出类拔萃。　　有一次坐在出租车上，听见司机看到自己前后都是高档车，兀自感叹：“唉，为什么别人那么有钱，我的钱这么难赚？” 　　我心血来潮，问他：“你认为世上有什么钱是好赚的？”他答不出来，过了半晌才说：好像都是别人的钱比较好赚。　　其实任何一个成功者都是艰辛取得。我们实在不该抱怨命运。　　——做人，依靠自己！　　
问题五：你认为完全没有打过篮球的人，可以当很好的篮球教练吗？　　回答：当然不可能，外行不可能领导内行。　　可是，有许多人，对某个行业完全不了解，只听到那个行业好赚钱，就马上开起业来了。　　我看过对穿着没有任何口味、或根本不在乎穿着的人，梦想却是开间服装店；不知道电脑怎么开机的人，却想在网上聊天，结果道听途说，却不反省自己是否专业能力不足，只抱怨时不我与。　　——做人，量力而行。　　
问题六：相似但不相同的问题：你是否认为，篮球教练不上篮球场，闭着眼睛也可以主导一场完美的胜利？　　回答：有病啊，当然是不可能的。　　可是却有不少朋友，自己没有时间打理，却拼命投资去开咖啡馆，开餐厅，开自己根本不懂的公司，火烧屁股一样急着把辛苦积攒的积蓄花掉，去当一个稀里糊涂的投资人。亏的总是比赚的多，却觉得自己是因为运气不好，而不是想法出了问题。　　——做人，记得反省自己。　　
问题七：你宁可永远后悔，也不愿意试一试自己能否转败为胜？　　解答：恐怕没有人会说：“对，我就是这样的孬种”吧。　　然而，我们却常常在不该打退堂鼓时拼命打退堂鼓，为了恐惧失败而不敢尝试成功。　　以关颖珊赢得2000年世界花样滑冰冠军时的精彩表现为例：她一心想赢得第一名，然而在最后一场比赛前，她的总积分只排名第三位，在最后的自选曲项目上，她选择了突破，而不是少出错。在4分钟的长曲中，结合了最高难度的三周跳，并且还大胆地连跳了两次。她也可能会败得很难看，但是她毕竟成功了。　　她说：“因为我不想等到失败，才后悔自己还有潜力没发挥。” 　　一个中国伟人曾说；胜利的希望和有利情况的恢复，往往产生于再坚持一下的努力之中。　　——做人，何妨放手一搏。　　
问题八：你的时间无限，长生不老，所以最想做的事，应该无限延期？　　回答：不，傻瓜才会这样认为。　　然而我们却常说，等我老了，要去环游世界；等我退休，就要去做想做的事情；等孩子长大了，我就可以…… 　　我们都以为自己有无限的时间与精力。其实我们可以一步一步实现理想，不必在等待中徒耗生命。如果现在就能一步一步努力接近，我们就不会活了半生，却出现自己最不想看到的结局。　　——做人，要活在当下。

3QOrz

2006-02-06T23:32:00.000+08:00

Got the meaning of the subject?

3Q = Thank you
Orz = A man bowing down to the earth

The whole sentence is
謝謝妳到五體投地

The above language is regarded as (火星文).
There is a translator invented for this language too.

To me, the most frequent 火星文 I encounter is 冬OT.

India

2006-01-17T01:34:00.000+08:00

It seems to be my next destination.

Malaysia

2005-10-22T12:08:00.000+08:00

I am still working on such a sunshine Saturday in Malaysia,
consecutive 1x working days.
Bless to VNC, cause I can login in my workstation in HK
and help me to access many valuable information in HK
and write this article.

Really amazing to see that I am going to complete 2 projects in two weeks,
with the obstacles of thick wall of compliance rules.

Same to previous previous trip, stock market slumps in HK.
Still suffer a severe loss after reduction of stocks before leaving HK.

Sell it or to not sell it?

2005-05-18T23:26:00.000+08:00

Someone bids 2.35 m for my flat
which is 0.05m higher than my asking price (2.3m).
The terms include a 5% deposit and a late transaction date in Jan 06
which are classical short-term-investor terms.

My possible choices include
- 1. To not sell it
- 2. Sell it according to the above terms
- 3. Negotiate for a higher deposit
- 4. Negotiate for a shorter transaction period
- 5. Negotiate for a higher price
- 6. A combination of 3, 4, and 5

Please advise

摩通增持中外運<0598.HK>256.15萬股

2005-02-26T09:57:00.000+08:00

據聯交所資料顯示，摩根大通於本周一(2月21日)，按每股平均價$2.63，增持中外運<0598.hk>256.15萬股，涉及金額約674萬元，其持股量已由4.95%升至5.1%。(an)

華大地產<0201> @1.48

2005-01-31T23:25:00.000+08:00

max 0.157,
min 0.135
close 0.148

主客和

2005-01-27T22:57:00.000+08:00

星期四 2 阿積士對海倫芬 28/01 03:44 1.35 4.00 7.50

客

輸

孖寶半全膽

2005-01-27T22:54:00.000+08:00

第一關
星期四 1 卡利亞里對森多利亞 0:0, 0:0
第二關
星期四 3 阿特蘭大對國際米蘭 0:0,0:0+ 0:1

中一關 Sorry

DBS指泛海國際<0129.HK>股價具增長潛力

2005-01-26T23:18:00.000+08:00

DBS唯高達發表研究報告，指泛海國際<0129.hk>上半年度轉虧為盈，預期受惠於發展項目回報及重組旗下投資物業，估計收入05至07年將錄得28%複合增長。報告指出，泛海與英國房地產公司格羅夫納Grosvenor合作無間，將有利其吸取經驗，進身高至中檔物業市場。該行指出，泛海現價偏低，但透過其高回報的物業組合，以及強勁合作夥伴Grosvenor支持下，其純利具強勁增長潛力，目標價為0.54元。(ch)

華大地產<0201> @1.34

2005-01-26T23:08:00.000+08:00

從1.23 升至1.61 回吐至1.34, 已超過0.618 黃金比
可看1.7

球賽編號: 星期三 17 曼聯 (主) 對車路士 (客)

2005-01-26T23:05:00.000+08:00

讓球數
曼聯 (主隊勝)
車路士 (客隊勝)
曼聯 [0]車路士 [0]
1.90
1.95

(客隊勝)

1:2 Done

球賽編號: 星期六 9 車路士 (主) 對樸茨茅夫 (客)

2005-01-22T13:41:00.000+08:00

波膽
1 : 0 6.50
2 : 0 6.50
3 : 0 10.00
4 : 0 10.50
5 : 0 12.00

(3:0) 買足五條都有兩倍

Special annual fee offer

2005-01-18T23:21:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I recived an invitation from HSBC.

"Through HSBC's global experience and unique local knowledge, we always aim to bring you better services and more exclusive privileges. With this in mind, and to thank you for your support, we are delighted to offer you an exclusive savings of up to 80% on an annual fee waiver on your Visa Platinum card for the coming year.

To redeem an annual fee waiver, you normally required 150,000 Reward points for a Visa Platinum card. With this exclusive offer, all you need is just 30,000 Reward points! To accept this offer, simply sign and return the acceptance form overleaf to us by 15 March 2005.

Please keep using your Visa Platinum card and continue to enjoy all the benefits of the most popular rewards programme in town!"

HSBC tries to rob me 30,000 points.
I have already consulted Sammy and ask for his sister's advice.

華大地產<0201.HK>不悉股價及成交上升原因

2005-01-17T23:47:00.000+08:00

華大地產<0201.hk>應聯交所要求發出通告表示，已留意到近期股價及成交量上升。該公司表示，除於1月11日公布收購澳門格蘭酒店外，目前並無任何有關收購或變賣的商談須予披露，亦不悉導致股價及成交上升的任何原因。該股現報$0.162，升31.71%，成交2.4億股。(wa)

嘉華建材(27)升至9.35

2005-01-06T23:34:00.000+08:00

waste more than $30000

嘉華建材(27)升至7.6

2005-01-05T22:47:00.000+08:00

Sorry!

05 推介

2005-01-01T02:15:00.000+08:00

201 華大地產
193 冠中地產
156 力寶華潤
302 永亨銀行
487 澳門實德
173 嘉華國際
184 激成投資
1173 威高國際

嘉華建材(27)升至5.9

2004-12-31T01:37:00.000+08:00

本人已悉數沽售

嘉華建材(27)升至5.25

2004-12-24T20:48:00.000+08:00

嘉華建材(27)升至4.25

2004-12-17T18:30:00.000+08:00

明存實亡

2004-12-13T23:28:00.000+08:00

為《東華》擔任司儀的曾志偉，昨日凌晨在節目中因衰多口而被汪明荃當眾掌摑。事緣阿姐影迷會「明荃之友」自製的銀紙孔雀被善長以三萬元多投得後，東華總理亦表示對孔雀有興趣，故此阿姐便自掏荷包 fans 再造一隻，以二萬八千元賣給總理，志偉口多多說：「你個歌迷會叫明乜？係咪明存實亡呀？」阿姐聽罷即掌摑志偉。

Audience size

2004-12-13T23:00:00.000+08:00

Glad to hear the audience size of this blog is greater than 1

嘉華建材(27)升至3.25

2004-11-04T18:57:00.000+08:00

嘉華建材(27)最近升至3.25 Ha Ha!

林奮強沽錯貨

2004-10-13T01:46:00.000+08:00

定係長實買貴?

就到價

2004-10-11T01:34:00.000+08:00

Park Island transaction in Oct 2004

座數單位層數面積成交價(萬) 平均呎價成交日期
8 F 12 694 2020000 2911 9-Oct-04
6 E 19 706 2330000 3300 8-Oct-04
1 H 2 770 2590000 3364 6-Oct-04
7 E 11 706 2100000 2975 5-Oct-04

7 E 19 706 2200000 3116 5-Oct-04
11 F 10 694 1830000 2637 4-Oct-04
17 K 17 498 1700000 3414 2-Oct-04
3 H 2 688 1988000 2890 1-Oct-04
9 G 17 694 2150000 3098 1-Oct-04
7 H 12 706 2030000 2875 1-Oct-04

My flat is Block 1 19 E, 672 Feet,
As Block 6 19 E and Block 7 19 E is above 2.2M
and their view will be blocked by phase V.
It is expected my south-facing flat, deep garden view
can be sold at a higher price.

樓市大好友林奮強沽貨2000萬

2004-10-09T13:01:00.000+08:00

估計賣地價城中最低 (2004/10/09)
【明報專訊】下周二港府拍賣天光道及新蒲崗兩幅土地，市場普遍相信成交價不俗，不過，曾獲頒「最佳地產分析員」的瑞銀證券亞洲研究董事總經理林奮強，卻估計兩地皮分別只會以較底價高9.7％及2.8％的價錢成交，較市場一般估計超底價19.5％及13.3％成交明顯為低，為現時市場最「保守」的分析員，林氏昨日親自「解畫」，指出並非睇淡後市，而是認為兩地的商業樓面「不值錢」，不過，林氏於8月已沽售逾2000萬元物業。

何文田及新蒲崗地皮的底價分別為50.2億及30億元，而有「樓市大好友」之稱的林奮強估計成交價只為55億及30.8億元，估價暫屬市場最低。他昨日出席公開場合時解釋，並非看淡樓市，只因何文田及新蒲崗地皮的商用部分佔可建樓面積17%，分別為28萬及20萬方呎，以兩地所屬區域衡量，由於不算接近地鐵，興建大型商場的潛力不足，更可能出現「有舖無人租」現象，因此兩地的商用樓面屬「太多」。
料建大型商場潛力不足
林氏日前發表的報告亦提及，兩地皮的商舖每月租金每平方呎難以超過10元水平，故相信不能彌補建築成本，發展商可能會用最低3層作其他用途，如興建會所。
另外，林氏稱維持原來對樓價的走勢預測，賣地後至年底樓價將上升8%，全年升30％，2年內升60％，而地產股全年則升逾15%。他亦重申，政府下年至少須有4萬個新住宅單位，才能滿足市場需求。
沽出三項物業均賺錢
不過，中原測量師行董事總經理黎堅輝則指，兩幅地皮的商用部分可用作興建小型商場，供應新樓盤約1400個單位居民需求。
雖然林奮強表示並非看淡後市，但地產界人士指出，林奮強於8月以891萬元增持擎天半島2座70樓以上F室1伙之際，同時沽出3項物業，包括擎天半島3座51樓G室、寶翠園8座50樓E室及高雲臺30樓以上G室，持有時間介乎7個月至11個月，分別賺120萬、209.2萬、140萬元，合共套現2146萬元。

蟹貨多年, 重見天日

2004-10-07T22:42:00.000+08:00

本人於97年以3元買入之嘉華建材(27)最近升至1.84.
另東方海外(581) 今天升至1.7
雙雙打入20大

阿仙奴好過收息

2004-09-12T15:00:00.000+08:00

0840

00:07
主客和
星期六 10 富咸 (主) 對阿仙奴 (客)阿仙奴贏 @ 1.45 $900
$900.00
$1,305.00

列支敦士登

2004-09-04T01:46:00.000+08:00

1
接納
0823
主客和
星期五 1 荷蘭 (主) 對列支敦士登 (客)和 @ 10.00列支敦士登贏 @ 26.00 $10
$20.00

阿仙奴 again

2004-08-28T00:55:00.000+08:00

0801 00:51 主客和星期六 31 諾域治 (主) 對阿仙奴 (客)
阿仙奴贏 @ 1.35 $600
$600.00
0804 00:51 入球大細星期六 31 諾域治 (主) 對阿仙奴 (客)
大 [2.5 球] @ 1.65 $150
$150.00

是日沒有交易紀錄

阿仙奴

2004-08-26T00:41:00.000+08:00

主客和
星期三 8 阿仙奴 (主) 對布力般流浪 (客)阿仙奴贏 @ 1.25 $500
$500.00

入球大細
星期三 8 阿仙奴 (主) 對布力般流浪 (客)大 [2.5 球] @ 1.60 $80
$80.00

iPod mini available at 2580

2004-07-25T19:39:00.000+08:00

Price at 1900: No stock
Price at 2580: Many stock

六合彩金多寶三千萬元

2004-07-20T02:27:00.000+08:00

六合彩 4+8+19+21+30+31

十面埋伏

2004-07-18T01:50:00.000+08:00

Will not go to see after viewing the
Comments from Forums:

張大導的片子越來越不好看可能商業味道太重吧那個整過容的女主角章子魚根本不是在做戲挺可怕的不男不女我來演的話一定比她好但是我不演因為我是一姐絕對不會執那個婆娘的二攤我相信王家衛看完十面埋伏之後會在2046會刪掉她所有戲份

劉德華呢個符碌影帝

沒有杜琪峰就不懂做戲,睇過十面埋伏觀眾都會覺得他做得很差,不過無知的華迷除外.

失望

剛看完,故事太單薄,太堆砌,好多場面太刻意催淚,好多人打呵欠,反不及我的父親母親好看

現代小你飛刀

成套片好似現代小你飛刀，睇完個個觀眾都”小你飛刀”咁聲出翻哩，真係小你!!!

Too many bad comments, can't record all.

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

2004-07-18T01:05:00.000+08:00

This is my gift, my curse. Who am I? I'm Spider-Man

Most superhero movies ended up with bad guys being killed by the superheroes. This time, spiderman just solved the situation by words.
Or practically, it was solved by Dr. Octopus himself. It was really difficult to tell what the great power was, the power to stop the train or the power to convince Dr. Octopus, or there was no great power at all.

May be it's telling Bush, our superheroes even cannot solve the problems with their great power, don't even give it a try in the real world. Maybe one day Bin Laiden will carry the fusion ball and dives into the river himself. Arresting pickpockets or fire-fighting is already a great responsibility for a US president.

條三串一竟然衰在巴西手上

2004-07-16T00:46:00.000+08:00

好在買左三十蚊巴拉圭補飛

今日推介

2004-07-13T01:02:00.000+08:00

小組首名過關
3X1 美洲國家盃
小組 1
哥倫比亞 @ 1.70 (passed)
美洲國家盃
小組 2
墨西哥 @ 1.55 (passed)
美洲國家盃
小組 3
巴西 @ 1.13 $100

柔道龍虎榜

2004-07-11T22:11:00.000+08:00

如果覺得大隻佬好睇,不妨試試.

好彩冇買

2004-07-11T12:38:00.000+08:00

美洲國家盃B組賽事，墨西哥爆出小冷門，以1:0擊敗阿根廷，墨西哥與烏拉圭同得4分。

歐元升穿 1.24 美元水平創逾 3 個月新高

2004-07-09T00:07:00.000+08:00

匯商指，雖然美國就業數據勝預期，但主要受季節性調整所影響，令美匯反覆偏軟。
歐元高見 1.2406 美元，創逾 3 個月新高；最新兌 1.24 美元。

英鎊一度高見 1.8582 美元的 3 個月高位；最新兌 1.8579 美元。

美元最新兌 108.73 日圓；美元最新兌 1.2243 瑞士法朗。

厄瓜多爾抵買

2004-07-08T21:28:00.000+08:00

輸足五球, 抵買!

厄瓜多爾

2004-07-08T00:04:00.000+08:00

星期三 4 阿根廷 (主) 對厄瓜多爾 (客)
厄瓜多爾 [+1] 贏 @ 1.88 $200

美元匯價全面下跌兌歐元跌至 3 個月新低

2004-07-07T23:51:00.000+08:00

匯商指，市場預期美國聯儲局考慮到經濟增長勢頭遜預期下，加息取態不會太進取，令美匯下跌。
歐元一度升至 1.2383 美元的 3 個月高位，最新兌 1.2369 美元，升約 0.65% 。

美元一度跌至 1.2256 瑞士法朗，創 2 月中以來新低；最新兌 1.228 瑞士法朗。

澳元最新兌 0.7231 美元，創 2 個月新高。

美元最新兌 108.53 日圓，跌 0.8% 。

英鎊最新兌 1.8545 美元，升約 0.7% 。

中國東方追落後

2004-07-07T23:48:00.000+08:00

大市反覆造好，指升 31 點，藍籌股以地產類較出色，國企則仍然係追捧對象，國指收 4404 ，升 54 點，大市成交增至 128 億元，其中國企佔 34 億元，比上日大增 62% 。
國企以資源股最強勢，化工類則在高位整固，遲早又會輪到。江西銅（ 358 ）表現最突出，午後搶上 3.975 元，收 3.925 元，大升 7.5% ，大行重係一路咁買；記得早個禮拜，當時江銅股價重係在 3.4 至 3.5 元水平，已經睇見大行係咁收集，買盤前仆後繼，「球球」聲咁買，肯定係有料到啦。果然一個禮拜，股價就升十幾個巴仙，噚日成交重大增到 2 億元。國企今個升市，江銅係最勁一隻，由低位 2.05 元上到 3.975 元，升幅 93.9% ！
3 隻鋼鐵股繼續上，以鞍鋼（ 347 ）最靚，收 3.125 元，升 5% ，重鋼（ 1053 ）同馬鋼（ 323 ）則有 2.4% 同 1.9% 進帳。由低位起計，到噚日高位，重鋼升 52.9% ，馬鋼升 53.4% ，而鞍鋼則升 56.8% 。至於中國東方（ 581 ），由低位 1.07 元升到 1.54 元，升幅只係 43.9% ，落後幾隻鋼鐵股，更俾江銅遠遠拋離。

現價仍潛水 44%
幾隻資源股走勢早已破位而上，中國東方則到噚日先突破，升破個多月來的頭肩底及 50 日線（同在 1.5 元水平）阻力，且有大成交支持，照度上去，短期目標指向 1.8 元。
相比其他鋼鐵股，中國東方現價確係好偏低，往績 PE 只係 3.2 倍。今年 3 月，上市價 2.75 元，最高價 3.65 元，現價比上市價仍低 44.3% 。
鋼鐵業受宏調影響，產品價格已下跌 2 至 3 成，但生產原料鐵礦砂跌價幅度更大，影響程度不如想像的深，同時，業界已預料下半年鋼材價格會逐步回穩，鋼鐵業的盈利，相信仍會有微幅的增長。
保守估計中國東方 04 年（ 12 月年結）盈利 11 億元人民幣，微升 2.2% ，每股盈利 0.415 元人民幣（已就發行新股作出調整），預測 PE 只係 3.9 倍，即使股價升上 1.8 元， PE 亦只係 4.6 倍！
其他資源股如兗州煤（ 1171 ）同安徽海螺（ 914 ）個勢都好靚，前者收 9.25 元，升 5.1% ，後者 9.35 元，升 3.8% ，兩者短期目標價都指向 10 元。
郭兆誠

珀麗灣二手單位鬆綁

2004-07-07T23:46:00.000+08:00

新地馬灣珀麗灣三期，是上月市場熱賣新盤，令二手市場受壓，成交減少。最近珀麗三期銷售告一段落，二手開始有起色，部份業主即時趁勢賣樓。
利嘉閣青衣城分行經理李傑華表示，珀麗灣十五座低層 E 室業主， ○ 二年以一手價一百三十四萬買入單位，住一陣就移民，原本諗住保留單位作度假用途，最近返港，突然改變主意，將單位放售，最後以一百七十八萬成交，單位面積六百八十八呎，每方呎二千五百八十七蚊。
李傑華指出，呎價比市價低一成，但計埋單位屬低層，質素一般，實際冇乜平。
現時珀麗灣一至三期共有三百個放盤，一及二期佔二百個，叫價每方呎三千五六。本月至今就有六宗二手成交。

珀麗提價後沽 30 伙

2004-07-06T19:56:00.000+08:00

珀麗提價後沽 30 伙
( 星島日報報道 ) 新地旗下馬灣珀麗灣 Oceanfront ，繼七 ‧ 一正式提價一成，連日來樓盤再售出三十伙，平均呎價由三千八百元至四千三百元，套現一億五千萬元。發展商表示，樓盤現時尚餘的五十多個待售單位，該批單位售罄後，餘下單位最快明年底入伙才推出市場。另外，物業近期接獲一名台資買家，斥資二千多萬元，連環購入八伙，成物業內購後，新一個大手入市的買家。

　　新地代理執行董事雷霆表示，集團的馬灣珀麗灣，繼上周四全  單位提價一成，連日來樓盤再售出三十伙，銷情表現理想，提價後景園單位平均呎價約為三千八百元，海景單位則約四千三百元，該批單位再為發展商套現一億五千萬元，樓盤現時尚餘的五十多個待售單位，該批單位稍後售罄後，餘下單位最快明年底入伙才推出市場。

　　至於連同早前售出單位，發展商迄今累售出約一千二百伙，套現逾三十億元，其中園景單位幾近售清，短期內樓盤未有計畫再度加價。

　　不過，雷霆表示，美國宣布加息，因升幅較為輕微，以及香港未必即時跟隨加息下，認為不會對本地樓市造成太大影響，對於近期轉趨淡靜的樓市，亦相信是正常，主要是年初迄今中小型物業樓價升幅平均已達四成，而豪宅物業升幅更甚，市場正待適應，雖然多個新盤即將推出，估計下半年樓市仍有百分之五至十的波幅，不過，樓價只會反覆向上。

　　另外，中原地產助理營業董事周永輝表示，自樓盤七月一日加價後，一名台灣資金背景買家，前後斥資二千多萬元購入珀麗灣八伙，作為中長  投資，而買家是次入市，為物業內購後，新一個較突出的大手的買家。

　　中原地產執行董事陳永傑亦指，受惠珀麗灣銷情理想，及撤銷租管等利好消息刺激下，本周市場二手交投，雖較六月份同期樓價有百分之三至五的跌幅，不過，成交量則約上升兩成。