Never forget, there are always things that are greater than life itself. There are things to live for, but also things to die for and fight for to the last breath. That is the meaning of life.
And tonight is the night for Osamu Dazai accompanied by the soundtrack of "The Hours" by Philip Glass.
p.s. so touched by the clips of "Lilting" today; wanna watch it in the theater when it's aired in December. I used to find Ben Whishaw a bit neurotic in other films and haven't been very attracted to his acting, but his performance in Lilting looks really convincing and heartbreakingly poignant, or at least it is so in the trailer and the short clips.
Showing posts with label english. Show all posts
Showing posts with label english. Show all posts
Friday, October 17, 2014
Friday, July 11, 2014
Sonnet 116
Sonnet 116
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no; it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests, and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
-- by William Shakespeare
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no; it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests, and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
-- by William Shakespeare
Saturday, July 20, 2013
History
The maternal grandfather of my mother's mother came from the United Kingdom, but where I don't know. I've been very curious about this story ever since I learned the information. My great aunt says this man worked for the British consulate in Fort Santo Domingo (and seemed to be the vice consel). But she seems to know nothing else about her grandfather. Actually she even came to know that only after she checked the registration record not long ago. (We only knew one of them was a foreigner, but was never certain whether it was a he or she, and where he or she came from.) How long did he stay in Taiwan? Till the end of his day or leaving after he served his term? Which part of the UK did he come from? England, Scotland, or Wales? Does he have sons in Taiwan and where the families are? It must have happened like 100 years ago. So I may never be able to find the answers to my questions.
I really love to listen to stories of my mother's family since my childhood. Once my grandpa showed me a wedding photo taken in Tamsui during the Japanese rule. My grandma came from a very wealthy family in Tamsui, whereas my grandpa was only a teacher and a son of a grocery shop owner. Their wedding followed the Japanese tradition. In the photo all people dress up, men in military suites and women in kimono. My grandpa and grandma sit in the middle wearing Japanese wedding gowns. But no one is smiling and look all solemn. I asked my grandpa, sounding quite naive to him I guess, why didn't you smile? And he replied seriously: People don't just smile for no reason back then. That was a completely different time. Their life was harder, but their hope was brighter. My grandpa remained a respected high school teacher all his life, had seven children with my grandma, and died peacefully in sleep at the age of 96, on Chinese New Year's Eve after dinner with family.
I really love to listen to stories of my mother's family since my childhood. Once my grandpa showed me a wedding photo taken in Tamsui during the Japanese rule. My grandma came from a very wealthy family in Tamsui, whereas my grandpa was only a teacher and a son of a grocery shop owner. Their wedding followed the Japanese tradition. In the photo all people dress up, men in military suites and women in kimono. My grandpa and grandma sit in the middle wearing Japanese wedding gowns. But no one is smiling and look all solemn. I asked my grandpa, sounding quite naive to him I guess, why didn't you smile? And he replied seriously: People don't just smile for no reason back then. That was a completely different time. Their life was harder, but their hope was brighter. My grandpa remained a respected high school teacher all his life, had seven children with my grandma, and died peacefully in sleep at the age of 96, on Chinese New Year's Eve after dinner with family.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Imagine...
Imagine there is no more stray animals put down by shelters in Taiwan
It isn't hard to do
Imagine the people here appreciate and respect life
It's easy if we try
Imagine human population can be reasonably controlled to maintain a sustainable environment
It's not impossible if we understand the human race should be humbe in face of nature
Imagine...
It isn't hard to do
Imagine the people here appreciate and respect life
It's easy if we try
Imagine human population can be reasonably controlled to maintain a sustainable environment
It's not impossible if we understand the human race should be humbe in face of nature
Imagine...
Friday, April 26, 2013
Robbie Turner
I'll never get tired of watching James McAvoy as Robbie Turner. Atonement is really great with excellent casting, impeccable performance, and a powerful twist. But it is always Robbie that I can't take my eyes off. Just as James McAvoy once put it in an interview, Robbie was so perfect, innocent but meanwhile so unguarded and vulnerable before falsely charged with sexual assault.
I love his voice, the way he talks, his facial expressions, and on top of all, his gaze (and of course it is highly related to how he was photographed). I also like the scene when his tears roll down. I don't think he has acted this way in other movies ever since, but there were no similar roles after all. I look forward to watching his latest films like Trance, Filth, or The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby, though I wish he could play roles like Robbie or star in films like Atonement again. But good actors always take challenges and try new parts, so I better stick to Robbie Turner anyway. He'll be forever young, and I forever sad and self-indulged. (hahaha)
I'll get this DVD some day for sure.
p.s. He has short fingernails like mine. XD
I love his voice, the way he talks, his facial expressions, and on top of all, his gaze (and of course it is highly related to how he was photographed). I also like the scene when his tears roll down. I don't think he has acted this way in other movies ever since, but there were no similar roles after all. I look forward to watching his latest films like Trance, Filth, or The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby, though I wish he could play roles like Robbie or star in films like Atonement again. But good actors always take challenges and try new parts, so I better stick to Robbie Turner anyway. He'll be forever young, and I forever sad and self-indulged. (hahaha)
I'll get this DVD some day for sure.
p.s. He has short fingernails like mine. XD
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Human beings are evil...
Humans are really so mean and so cruel to animals throughout the history. We of course have not forget to put the same treatment on ourselves. Delighting in the plight of others is no strange idea to anyone, though this topic is not what I really want to complain about here.
Since a child I have had a hard time watching men kill their horses just because of an injury on the leg. The horses have toiled away all the life for their masters and were treated like this in the end. Horses are a bit distant from our daily life and I would rather think that no more horses have to suffer the same fate. What is closer to us in Taiwan is the street dogs and cats.
These animals are either abandoned by their owners/used-to-be partners or born in the wild. If these animals are taken to the so-called "halfway house", most end up being terminated. They have not done anything wrong in their lives. Why do they deserve such treatment? Perhaps the only thing wrong is that they are born.
To those who simply find animals abominable, I can say nothing. But to those that care about life, not only the life of humans but also other creature, I sincerely hope no one will ever mistaken the halfway house as some place that can save the animals. The house is not halfway to a new home, but practically halfway to hell.
Human beings have no such right to overpopulate the earth, incessantly broaden the territory, and kill innocent animals simply at will.
在台灣，送動物去收容所是送他們去死，不是救他們。除了集體居留的收容環境可能造成疾病傳染，無人領養的動物12天後就會被屠殺。喜歡動物就不要送他們去收容所。
Since a child I have had a hard time watching men kill their horses just because of an injury on the leg. The horses have toiled away all the life for their masters and were treated like this in the end. Horses are a bit distant from our daily life and I would rather think that no more horses have to suffer the same fate. What is closer to us in Taiwan is the street dogs and cats.
These animals are either abandoned by their owners/used-to-be partners or born in the wild. If these animals are taken to the so-called "halfway house", most end up being terminated. They have not done anything wrong in their lives. Why do they deserve such treatment? Perhaps the only thing wrong is that they are born.
To those who simply find animals abominable, I can say nothing. But to those that care about life, not only the life of humans but also other creature, I sincerely hope no one will ever mistaken the halfway house as some place that can save the animals. The house is not halfway to a new home, but practically halfway to hell.
Human beings have no such right to overpopulate the earth, incessantly broaden the territory, and kill innocent animals simply at will.
在台灣，送動物去收容所是送他們去死，不是救他們。除了集體居留的收容環境可能造成疾病傳染，無人領養的動物12天後就會被屠殺。喜歡動物就不要送他們去收容所。
Thursday, December 06, 2012
English Vocabulary - 12/5
今天熊熊發現，好多台灣的XX山翻成英文都變成 ...shan，比如說：
玉山 --> Yushan
陽明山 --> Yangmingshan
太平山 --> Taipingshan
河還是河，為什麼山不是山了呢？歪果仁看到這樣的譯名知道他們是山嗎？想像淡水河從Tamsui River變成Tamsuihe，那會是怎樣一個光景呢？
denigrate: (W) cause to seem less serious; play down (M) to deny the importance or validity of, belittle
~ Women's achievements used to be significantly denigrated.
~ Nixon denigrated the impact of the presidential debates with Kennedy and finally lost the election.
recondite: (W) difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge (M) difficult or impossible for one of ordinary understanding or knowledge to comprehand
~ Calculus and statistics are both recondite subjects.
perspicuity: (W) clarity as a consequence of being perspicuous (M) plain to the understanding especially because of clarity and precision of presentation
perspicuous: (W) (of language) transparently clear, easily understandable
~ Perspicuity is the most essential quality of style.
最後補上一個寫作網站：50個提昇寫作功力的免費資源。
玉山 --> Yushan
陽明山 --> Yangmingshan
太平山 --> Taipingshan
河還是河，為什麼山不是山了呢？歪果仁看到這樣的譯名知道他們是山嗎？想像淡水河從Tamsui River變成Tamsuihe，那會是怎樣一個光景呢？
denigrate: (W) cause to seem less serious; play down (M) to deny the importance or validity of, belittle
~ Women's achievements used to be significantly denigrated.
~ Nixon denigrated the impact of the presidential debates with Kennedy and finally lost the election.
recondite: (W) difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge (M) difficult or impossible for one of ordinary understanding or knowledge to comprehand
~ Calculus and statistics are both recondite subjects.
perspicuity: (W) clarity as a consequence of being perspicuous (M) plain to the understanding especially because of clarity and precision of presentation
perspicuous: (W) (of language) transparently clear, easily understandable
~ Perspicuity is the most essential quality of style.
最後補上一個寫作網站：50個提昇寫作功力的免費資源。
Thursday, November 29, 2012
English Vocabulary - 11/29
I missed two days in a row! :(
1. emaciate: debilitate, make weak physically
~ The awarded photo features an emaciated child in Africa.
~ emaciated drug addicts
~ The dogs were starved for days in this deserted apartment and looked terribly emaciated when we found them.
2. dike/dyke: a thick wall built to stop water flooding onto very low-lying land from a river or from the sea 堤防 (dam: 水壩)
~ The Netherlands is famous for their dykes with which they have considerably expanded the territory.
3. ballast: [un] (C) heavy matter such as sand or stone that is used at the bottom of a ship or a balloon to make it heavier (to improve stability), or the small stones on which railways and roads are made
~ The ship was fitted for ballast before it sailed.
~ Ballast is usually in the form of sand, iron, or water. Ballast is required in gas balloons to control buoyancy.
4. magnanimity: (C) very kind and generous towards an enemy or someone you have defeated; (M) the quality of being magnanimous, loftiness of spirit enabling one to bear trouble calmly, to disdain meanness and pettiness, and to display a noble generosityvindictiveness
>~ Mr. Jiang Kai Shek was known for his magnanimity towards the Japanese after the WWII.1. emaciate: debilitate, make weak physically
~ The awarded photo features an emaciated child in Africa.
~ emaciated drug addicts
~ The dogs were starved for days in this deserted apartment and looked terribly emaciated when we found them.
2. dike/dyke: a thick wall built to stop water flooding onto very low-lying land from a river or from the sea 堤防 (dam: 水壩)
~ The Netherlands is famous for their dykes with which they have considerably expanded the territory.
3. ballast: [un] (C) heavy matter such as sand or stone that is used at the bottom of a ship or a balloon to make it heavier (to improve stability), or the small stones on which railways and roads are made
~ The ship was fitted for ballast before it sailed.
~ Ballast is usually in the form of sand, iron, or water. Ballast is required in gas balloons to control buoyancy.
4. magnanimity: (C) very kind and generous towards an enemy or someone you have defeated; (M) the quality of being magnanimous, loftiness of spirit enabling one to bear trouble calmly, to disdain meanness and pettiness, and to display a noble generosity
~ The mother made a difficult decision and showed magnanimity towards the killer of his son.
Economist, Sad South Africa
5. dither: [v] hesitate, (C) to be unable to make a decision about doing something; (W) to act nervously; be undecided; be uncertain, (M) to act nervously or indecisively
~ He has been dithering over whether he should take the offer or stay in his current position.
~ When the extremely cold air hits, Jack has no time to dither but to jump into the nearest window he can find.
[n]
~ His mom always gets in a dither if he does not give her a call after 9:00 pm.
~ She was in a dither about what to wear for the prom.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
English Vocabulary - 11/26
1. dastardly (M) characterized by underhandedness or treachery, (C) evil and cruel
~ The dastardly clerk deferred the application on purpose until the contract lapsed, and the applicants was left dismayed.
(a dastard: a coward)
~ It was his dastardly plot to overthrow the president and made his son king in his place.
~ It was dastardly of him to trap street cats and torture them brutally.
~ a dastardly attack/deed
2. adroit (C) very skilful and quick in the way you think or move; dexterous
~ The adroit secret agent managed to smuggle the Americans out of Iran in the end of the movie Argo.
~ Thai fruit carving requires very adroit hands.
3. abscond: (M) to depart secretly and hide oneself (W) run away, usually includes taking something or somebody along 潛逃
~ The salesman is believed to have absconded with the containers which are worth more than one million dollars.
~ The murderer moved the savings away, killed the accountant and hid him in a secret place, so that other employees and the investigators would assume it was the accountant who had absconded with money.
4. absolve (C) to free someone from guilt, blame, or responsibility for something (esp. in religious/law) 赦免
~ Please absolve me of all my sins.
~ Ideally and theoretically, absolution is the only way to true peace, but in reality it is usually not the case.
~ Many Chinese people still cannot absolve Japanese of the guilt during WWII.
~ With the increasing tension between the two tribes, a mutual absolution has become less and less likely.
5. bungle (W) make a mess of, destroy or ruin; (M) to act or work clumsily and awkwardly, botch
~ How can you bungle a simple recipe like that? The recipe is so easy that a 5-year-old will not bungle it.
~ He bungled his job and got fired.
~ Keep Sansa unaware of our plan; otherwise she will bungle it!
~ The dastardly clerk deferred the application on purpose until the contract lapsed, and the applicants was left dismayed.
(a dastard: a coward)
~ It was his dastardly plot to overthrow the president and made his son king in his place.
~ It was dastardly of him to trap street cats and torture them brutally.
~ a dastardly attack/deed
2. adroit (C) very skilful and quick in the way you think or move; dexterous
~ The adroit secret agent managed to smuggle the Americans out of Iran in the end of the movie Argo.
~ Thai fruit carving requires very adroit hands.
3. abscond: (M) to depart secretly and hide oneself (W) run away, usually includes taking something or somebody along 潛逃
~ The salesman is believed to have absconded with the containers which are worth more than one million dollars.
~ The murderer moved the savings away, killed the accountant and hid him in a secret place, so that other employees and the investigators would assume it was the accountant who had absconded with money.
4. absolve (C) to free someone from guilt, blame, or responsibility for something (esp. in religious/law) 赦免
~ Please absolve me of all my sins.
~ Ideally and theoretically, absolution is the only way to true peace, but in reality it is usually not the case.
~ Many Chinese people still cannot absolve Japanese of the guilt during WWII.
~ With the increasing tension between the two tribes, a mutual absolution has become less and less likely.
5. bungle (W) make a mess of, destroy or ruin; (M) to act or work clumsily and awkwardly, botch
~ How can you bungle a simple recipe like that? The recipe is so easy that a 5-year-old will not bungle it.
~ He bungled his job and got fired.
~ Keep Sansa unaware of our plan; otherwise she will bungle it!
Monday, November 26, 2012
English Vocabulary - 11/25
1 .boudoir: (W) a lady's room or private sitting room
2. asinine: (W) showing a lack of intelligence and thought; stupid and silly; (C) extremely stupid
~ We are furious about the new National Health Insurance because it is such an asinine policy. Citizens here are simply robbed.
~ Asinine questions by the news reporters, such as "How do you feel about the death of your mother?", are really infuriating.
3. berserk: (W) frenzied, out of control; (C) very angry and out of control
~ After learning Jason's betrayal, Medea goes berserk and killed their children and his new lover in retribution.
~ The berserk man on the bridge is intimidating every passerby.
4. buxom: (W) having a large bosom and pleasing curves / (W) healthily plump and vigorous
~ 007 series no longer features only buxom blondes.
~ After several months of calorie intake control plus proper workout routines, she is no longer buxom and her step is buoyant now.
5. pugnacious: bellicose; (M) having a quarrelsome or combative nature; truculent; (W) ready and able to resort to force or violence
~ We hope that the pugnacious party will not win the coming election.
~ The head of the horse drenched in blood on his bed is a very pugnacious/bellicose gesture.
2. asinine: (W) showing a lack of intelligence and thought; stupid and silly; (C) extremely stupid
~ We are furious about the new National Health Insurance because it is such an asinine policy. Citizens here are simply robbed.
~ Asinine questions by the news reporters, such as "How do you feel about the death of your mother?", are really infuriating.
3. berserk: (W) frenzied, out of control; (C) very angry and out of control
~ After learning Jason's betrayal, Medea goes berserk and killed their children and his new lover in retribution.
~ The berserk man on the bridge is intimidating every passerby.
4. buxom: (W) having a large bosom and pleasing curves / (W) healthily plump and vigorous
~ 007 series no longer features only buxom blondes.
~ After several months of calorie intake control plus proper workout routines, she is no longer buxom and her step is buoyant now.
5. pugnacious: bellicose; (M) having a quarrelsome or combative nature; truculent; (W) ready and able to resort to force or violence
~ We hope that the pugnacious party will not win the coming election.
~ The head of the horse drenched in blood on his bed is a very pugnacious/bellicose gesture.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
English Vocabulary - 11/24
stature:
(W) High level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
~ a man/an artiest of great stature
~ The Russian city Sochi has grown in stature since being selected as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics Games.
Source: BBC Documentary on Steve Jobs
despondent:
(M) feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection, or depression
~ He became so despondent after the cancer diagnosis was confirmed by an expert pathologist.
Source: BBC Documentary on Steve Jobs
debilitate:
(M) to impair the strength of, enfeeble
(C) to make sb/sth physically weak
~ HIV debilitates the human immune system.
~ The lady next door became quite debilitated after she broke her hip joint in the bathroom.
Source: BBC Documentary on Steve Jobs
febrile:
(M) marked or caused by fever;
(C) extremely active, too excited or imaginative or emotional (figurative)
~ febrile illness / febrile seizures
~ febrile imagination 狂熱、炙熱...
animosity:
(C) strong dislike, opposition or anger
(M) ill will or resentment tending toward active hostility; an antagonistic attitude
~ We need to put aside our personal animosity so that we can work together. --> personal animosity（私怨）
~ One of the qualities of a successful businessperson is never to display open animosity to any person.
C: Cambridge Dictionary
M: Merriam-Webster
W: WordWeb
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Everyday vocabulary
最近在韋式字典（Merriam-Webster）的網站上發現一個字彙測驗遊戲（Vocabulary Quiz），還滿有趣的，測驗結束還會有統計結果，呈現自己的成績和其他人比較落在哪一個等級，甚至還能再看各年齡的平均成績。測驗有十題，答錯的題數需要在兩題內才能高於總平均成績。另外是測驗結果顯示時，還能看到單字的等級。連續玩了幾回後，覺得台灣的高中英文大概是教到Medium的程度，合約商務常見的單字也都在Easier和Medium這個等級中，再上去應該就有英文系或GRE等級了。
Anyway, 只是享用這個測驗來激勵自己每天都要再多增加幾個英文單字，而且是要讓自己能夠使用的字彙，而不只是passive knowledge。
Anyway, 只是享用這個測驗來激勵自己每天都要再多增加幾個英文單字，而且是要讓自己能夠使用的字彙，而不只是passive knowledge。
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
狗狗一生中非做不可的50件事
今天看到這篇文章，還滿有趣的，台灣的網路新聞只能看到其中幾則，所以就去Telegraph把所有50條找出來（連結）。不曉得狗狗們是否真的都這樣。希望也能看到貓貓的願望清單~~!
（罐頭、肉條，吃不玩的罐頭和肉條）
（罐頭、肉條，吃不玩的罐頭和肉條）
50 things every dog should do before it dies
1. Flop down in front of a morning fire
在火爐前烘肚（應該是這樣吧？）
在火爐前烘肚（應該是這樣吧？）
2. Go for a swim in the sea
在海水裡游泳
在海水裡游泳
3. Go mad in the snow
在雪地裡失心瘋
在雪地裡失心瘋
4. Dig up a flower bed
把花壇裡的土都挖出來
把花壇裡的土都挖出來
5. Do the 'Beethoven' shake and soak everyone around you
瘋狂甩身上的水，把旁邊的人都甩溼了
瘋狂甩身上的水，把旁邊的人都甩溼了
6. Have your own spot on the sofa
沙發上有一個屬於自己的位子
沙發上有一個屬於自己的位子
7. Accompany your owner on a run/cycle ride
陪主人慢跑、騎車
陪主人慢跑、騎車
8. Attend a family picnic
和家人一起野餐
和家人一起野餐
9. Help your owner bad a date
這句不太清楚，我發現美國人也覺得這句怪怪的（連結，這個人把他狗狗做過什麼的照片都放上來，太有趣了！），"bag" a date 比較合理，就是「幫你的主人把妹」啦
這句不太清楚，我發現美國人也覺得這句怪怪的（連結，這個人把他狗狗做過什麼的照片都放上來，太有趣了！），"bag" a date 比較合理，就是「幫你的主人把妹」啦
10. Cheer your owner up when they are down
主人心情不好的時候逗他們開心
主人心情不好的時候逗他們開心
11. Visit a different continent
造訪新大陸
造訪新大陸
12. Roll around in a really stinky, muddy puddle
在泥巴裡打滾
在泥巴裡打滾
13. Ruin a pair or slippers or shoes
破壞拖鞋或外出鞋
破壞拖鞋或外出鞋
14. Sleep in your owners bed
睡在主人的床上
睡在主人的床上
15. Wake your owner with a big wet sloppy kiss
用濕答答的吻叫醒主人
用濕答答的吻叫醒主人
16. Chase a cat during a dream
在夢中追逐小貓（要怎麼知道狗狗夢到什麼阿 @@）
在夢中追逐小貓（要怎麼知道狗狗夢到什麼阿 @@）
17. Learn the word for 'sit' in another language
學會另一個語言的「坐下」
學會另一個語言的「坐下」
18. Join in a football game in the park
在公園裡玩足球
在公園裡玩足球
19. Meet a famous dog
見到名犬（這是主人高興還是狗狗高興阿？）
見到名犬（這是主人高興還是狗狗高興阿？）
20. Try your paws at dancing
揮掌起舞
揮掌起舞
21. Convince your owner you can howl English words
讓主人認為狗狗會講人話
讓主人認為狗狗會講人話
22. Get filthy within 30 minutes of a bath
洗完澡不到30分鐘又弄得髒兮兮
洗完澡不到30分鐘又弄得髒兮兮
23. Howl along with your favourite song
跟著最愛的歌曲一起嚎叫
跟著最愛的歌曲一起嚎叫
24. Ride in an open top car
搭敞篷車兜風
搭敞篷車兜風
25. Learn to skateboard
學會玩滑板
學會玩滑板
26. Have a personalised Christmas stocking
擁有自己的耶誕襪
擁有自己的耶誕襪
27. Show the postman who's boss
嚇唬郵差
嚇唬郵差
28. Be a ring bearer at a wedding
婚禮上當小花童
婚禮上當小花童
29. Try to follow a squirrel up a tree
把松鼠追到樹上去
把松鼠追到樹上去
30. Go to work with your owner
跟主人一起上班
跟主人一起上班
31. Have your own social media page
有個專屬社群網頁
有個專屬社群網頁
32. Bound through a forest
在森林中奔跑
在森林中奔跑
33. Have a personalised kennel
有自己的狗屋
有自己的狗屋
34. Go on a boat and get your sea legs
在船上如魚得水，不會暈船
在船上如魚得水，不會暈船
35. Play frisbee on the beach
在沙灘上玩飛盤
在沙灘上玩飛盤
36. Receive your own birthday card
收到生日卡片
收到生日卡片
37. Steal someone's lunch when they're not looking
趁人不備時偷吃別人的東西
趁人不備時偷吃別人的東西
38. Watch an entire episode of 'The Washing Machine'
觀賞（滾筒式）洗衣機的整個洗衣過程
觀賞（滾筒式）洗衣機的整個洗衣過程
39. Eat doggy ice cream
吃狗狗冰淇淋
吃狗狗冰淇淋
40. Create a diversion and steal another dog's dinner
轉移其他狗狗的注意力，然後偷吃人家的食物
轉移其他狗狗的注意力，然後偷吃人家的食物
41. Rug a doggy marathon
美國人也看不太懂這句（帶狗狗跑馬拉松？或許養狗的人比較懂...）
美國人也看不太懂這句（帶狗狗跑馬拉松？或許養狗的人比較懂...）
42. Receive a doggy birthday cake
收到自己的生日蛋糕
收到自己的生日蛋糕
43. Rip the stuffing out of a pillow or cushion
把枕頭或座墊咬破
把枕頭或座墊咬破
44. Unwrap birthday presents
把生日禮物拆封
把生日禮物拆封
45. Watch Lassie on TV
看靈犬萊西的電視節目
看靈犬萊西的電視節目
46. Be in a family portrait
一起照全家福照片
一起照全家福照片
47. Have a stand off with your own reflection
對著鏡子裡的自己齜牙咧嘴
對著鏡子裡的自己齜牙咧嘴
48. Have a favourite local pub
在離家不遠處有間最愛的酒吧
在離家不遠處有間最愛的酒吧
49. Star in a YouTube video
有自己的YouTube影片
有自己的YouTube影片
50. Sleep in a boutique dog hotel
住過精品狗旅館
住過精品狗旅館
Monday, October 22, 2012
Writing Exercise - describe someone's face
In this exercise I was asked to pick someone that I do not know very well, for fear that my prior impressions of someone I am familiar with may interfere with the writing.
Well, it is completely not an easy job for me. One of the purposes of the exercise is to write with coherence and continuity. On top of that, I need to work on more details. I do admit I am being too general and kind of evasive about the details when writing. I am hoping to hone my writing skills with these exercises step by step.
Well, it is completely not an easy job for me. One of the purposes of the exercise is to write with coherence and continuity. On top of that, I need to work on more details. I do admit I am being too general and kind of evasive about the details when writing. I am hoping to hone my writing skills with these exercises step by step.
Rachel's Face
Rachel has a face that tells stories. Her oval shaped face would not keep people at a distance, and her thick shoulder-length hair, with loose wavy ends, probably suggests her easygoing and carefree temperament. Her forehead is partially covered by bangs, which makes her bushy black eyebrows less obvious. She has sparkling eyes that smile, even without heavy makeup. These eyes are slightly upturned at the end, with a deep crease. She has a thin but clear nose bridge and a fleshy nose tip. It is believed by traditional Chinese that such a nose indicates wealth. However, I would rather interpret this wealth as an inner one, because it is easy to tell from her smile. Rachel is not at all hesitant to show her teeth confidently with a wide, warm-hearted smile. Her lips are thin, teeth white and straight. Her chin is of medium length and tapers smoothly. Above all these features, Rachel maintained a healthy tanned complexion unlike ordinary Taiwanese girls, for she is sporty and travels a lot, especially into the wild or natural reserves. Needless to say, she really has a lot to tell about. Monday, September 10, 2012
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
An extremely controversial movie in the course of its making. I watched it in order to read the book "Scorsese on Scorsese". The film moved me unexpectedly. Though not a religious person, I sensed no blasphemy in this film. Rather I felt the love of god and a strong belief from its director, Martin Scorsese. The film couldn't be accomplished were it not for his firm belief.
The revelation at the end off the film is particularly moving. I was baffled by the mundane life of Jesus and didn't realize until the very last minute that it was actually a spiritual trial. The closing line "It's accomplished." echoes so well with "the last temptation" and leaves the film a reflective ending (at least for me).
As the director puts it, modern audience wouldn't be able to appreciate the sole emphasis on the divinity of Jesus. It would only mean something if the duality is presented: the divinity and humanity.
Also worth mentioning is the music in this film that brings forth a sense of juxtaposition. It is not the ordinary solemn, pious music for a story of Jesus. Scorsese adopts the music from a Moroccan band "Nass El Ghiwane", and it sounds by no means 2000 years old as in Jesus' time. However considering the controversy and conflicts dealing in the film, the music fits in just fine.
Though the film runs over 160 minutes, it is certainly recommended. Background regarding the making of this film is detailed in "Scorsese on Scorsese" which I also enjoyed.
By the way, William Dafoe did put on a good show starring Jesus, and I like how the story of Judas is retold.
The revelation at the end off the film is particularly moving. I was baffled by the mundane life of Jesus and didn't realize until the very last minute that it was actually a spiritual trial. The closing line "It's accomplished." echoes so well with "the last temptation" and leaves the film a reflective ending (at least for me).
As the director puts it, modern audience wouldn't be able to appreciate the sole emphasis on the divinity of Jesus. It would only mean something if the duality is presented: the divinity and humanity.
Also worth mentioning is the music in this film that brings forth a sense of juxtaposition. It is not the ordinary solemn, pious music for a story of Jesus. Scorsese adopts the music from a Moroccan band "Nass El Ghiwane", and it sounds by no means 2000 years old as in Jesus' time. However considering the controversy and conflicts dealing in the film, the music fits in just fine.
Though the film runs over 160 minutes, it is certainly recommended. Background regarding the making of this film is detailed in "Scorsese on Scorsese" which I also enjoyed.
By the way, William Dafoe did put on a good show starring Jesus, and I like how the story of Judas is retold.
 |
| William Dafoe as Jesus |
Friday, September 07, 2012
Stay
Life is about a series of decisions, and I just made the worst one in my life. It cost the life of my cat.
I cannot understand why god always takes those we love and need most away from our life? Either by death or by keeping us apart?
Anyway, every morning is the hardest for me. I am saddest especially when being alone, seeing all around me with memories of her, the gait, the sound she made, and every little detail.
My hubby said last night: it's just like we lost our own baby. And indeed, it is. She is so unique and so dear to us. I told him, if she could live up to the day we have a little boy, the boy would complain to him about his mother: Why mummy treats our cat better than me?
Yesterday evening I walked past a shop playing a song from Johnny Cash. No idea why, his dark, lax, baritone voice somehow has a soothing effect on me.
I wish it was a heavy rainy day like today, which it would have made it impossible for me to carry you to the vet, and you would be still sitting beside me, gazing upon me and reaching me with your little paws.
If only I could turn back time. And if I given the only one chance to make a different decision, this would be the one. I would stay at home, with you, we would take a nap again together. Just as peaceful as ever.
I cannot understand why god always takes those we love and need most away from our life? Either by death or by keeping us apart?
Anyway, every morning is the hardest for me. I am saddest especially when being alone, seeing all around me with memories of her, the gait, the sound she made, and every little detail.
My hubby said last night: it's just like we lost our own baby. And indeed, it is. She is so unique and so dear to us. I told him, if she could live up to the day we have a little boy, the boy would complain to him about his mother: Why mummy treats our cat better than me?
Yesterday evening I walked past a shop playing a song from Johnny Cash. No idea why, his dark, lax, baritone voice somehow has a soothing effect on me.
I wish it was a heavy rainy day like today, which it would have made it impossible for me to carry you to the vet, and you would be still sitting beside me, gazing upon me and reaching me with your little paws.
If only I could turn back time. And if I given the only one chance to make a different decision, this would be the one. I would stay at home, with you, we would take a nap again together. Just as peaceful as ever.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Food Crisis
Food Crisis is one of the hardy perennial themes recently. Hideous and radical it may seem, the best solution is to shut down all the all-you-can-eat restaurants and implement strict birth control across the universe. A population of 7 billion? What do you expect? This is simply abominable.
Why is there food crisis? Not enough food, too many people. Worse still, people eat incessantly and gluttonously. Many Sci-Fi movies talk about the end of the world when humans can no longer bear offspring. But before that we might have already run out of food and starved to death, as many have been talking about the hunger warning. Ironically, all-you-can-eat restaurants can be seen everywhere which only aggravates the food shortage problem. Piles of food waiting to be eaten but most likely ends up in rubbish dump. If these restaurants could be eliminated and food can be more evenly distributed, food waste can surely be significantly reduced.
I wonder what is the number scientists worked out for carrying capacity of earth. But all the signs show there are already too many people on the earth. The world would be a better place with much less people. Of course it might not be so in terms of economic development, which relies heavily on morbid borrowing, spending and consumption. However, taking the environmental sustainability into consideration, those economic BS are totally wrong and evil. Modern companies prefers manufacturing trash which would be dead or fall apart not long after its warranty period. I can't imagine all of us throw away our furniture, TV sets, and so on, within 5 years and buy new ones. Not to mention those electronic gadgets contains many non-recyclable parts but they mostly die in 2~4 years. The list would never be long enough. And this is why. We must control population, and in return when there are less people, it is less likely that food crisis or other problems happens. After all, we no longer live in the age of intensive agriculture.
Why is there food crisis? Not enough food, too many people. Worse still, people eat incessantly and gluttonously. Many Sci-Fi movies talk about the end of the world when humans can no longer bear offspring. But before that we might have already run out of food and starved to death, as many have been talking about the hunger warning. Ironically, all-you-can-eat restaurants can be seen everywhere which only aggravates the food shortage problem. Piles of food waiting to be eaten but most likely ends up in rubbish dump. If these restaurants could be eliminated and food can be more evenly distributed, food waste can surely be significantly reduced.
I wonder what is the number scientists worked out for carrying capacity of earth. But all the signs show there are already too many people on the earth. The world would be a better place with much less people. Of course it might not be so in terms of economic development, which relies heavily on morbid borrowing, spending and consumption. However, taking the environmental sustainability into consideration, those economic BS are totally wrong and evil. Modern companies prefers manufacturing trash which would be dead or fall apart not long after its warranty period. I can't imagine all of us throw away our furniture, TV sets, and so on, within 5 years and buy new ones. Not to mention those electronic gadgets contains many non-recyclable parts but they mostly die in 2~4 years. The list would never be long enough. And this is why. We must control population, and in return when there are less people, it is less likely that food crisis or other problems happens. After all, we no longer live in the age of intensive agriculture.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
G & G
"There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved" ~ Jane Austen, Persuasion.
However, good things always end too soon and too suddenly. It is, the world is just so unfair.
"G & G" stands for two great Russian skaters: Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov. They were paired as a team back in 1981 because individually they were deemed not strong enough to stand out as solo performers. They have won several world championships including two Winter Olympics in 1988 and 1994. A couple in real life, their performance was completely full of chemistry, and I really like to watch them skating. They might not be capable of the most eye-catching, innovative techniques, but they became one on ice. It was no longer two persons proving how well they could dance on ice together. That was one soul, one breath.
Unfortunately their time together was too short. Sergei Grinkov died unexpectedly of a heart attack while training, at the age of 28, November 20, 1995, survived by his wife and lifetime partner Ekaterina Gordeeva and their daughter.
Gordeeva wrote a book about her life with Grinkov, My Sergei (available in Traditional Chinese, 冰舞深情). And the book has been made a documentary in 1998 to commemorate Grinkov and their love. In 2002 Gordeeva married the former ice skater, Ilia Kulik, the 1998 Olympic Champion in men's figure skating, 6 years her junior. She strove hard and moved on.
In the film My Sergei, Gordeeva says: "I hope people will find time to really appreciate this little minutes with each other that they can just smile to each other and say that they love each other. Just one extra time, just one extra word. It's so important, very important."
I wonder if someday their story would be made into a real movie. The first time I saw Grinkov, it reminded me of Hayden Christensen (though Grinkov was much sturdier). Later when I scanned through Gordeeva's photos, Natalie Portman was the first actress came to my mind. (On second thought, the very young Julia Ormond popped up.) Then I realized they were already together in Star Wars. It was said that George Lucas wanted Christensen because of his chemistry with Natalie Portman. It seems "Lucas hatte Recht!" The only problem is both of them are way too old today! (HAHA)
Let's end this post with some memorable clips from their Olympic performances.
1988 Short program
1988 Long program
1988 Exhibition
1994
1994 Long program
1994 Exhibition
However, good things always end too soon and too suddenly. It is, the world is just so unfair.
"G & G" stands for two great Russian skaters: Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov. They were paired as a team back in 1981 because individually they were deemed not strong enough to stand out as solo performers. They have won several world championships including two Winter Olympics in 1988 and 1994. A couple in real life, their performance was completely full of chemistry, and I really like to watch them skating. They might not be capable of the most eye-catching, innovative techniques, but they became one on ice. It was no longer two persons proving how well they could dance on ice together. That was one soul, one breath.
 |
| 1994 Olympics Exhibition in Lillehammer |
Gordeeva wrote a book about her life with Grinkov, My Sergei (available in Traditional Chinese, 冰舞深情). And the book has been made a documentary in 1998 to commemorate Grinkov and their love. In 2002 Gordeeva married the former ice skater, Ilia Kulik, the 1998 Olympic Champion in men's figure skating, 6 years her junior. She strove hard and moved on.
In the film My Sergei, Gordeeva says: "I hope people will find time to really appreciate this little minutes with each other that they can just smile to each other and say that they love each other. Just one extra time, just one extra word. It's so important, very important."
I wonder if someday their story would be made into a real movie. The first time I saw Grinkov, it reminded me of Hayden Christensen (though Grinkov was much sturdier). Later when I scanned through Gordeeva's photos, Natalie Portman was the first actress came to my mind. (On second thought, the very young Julia Ormond popped up.) Then I realized they were already together in Star Wars. It was said that George Lucas wanted Christensen because of his chemistry with Natalie Portman. It seems "Lucas hatte Recht!" The only problem is both of them are way too old today! (HAHA)
Let's end this post with some memorable clips from their Olympic performances.
1988 Short program
1988 Long program
1988 Exhibition
1994
1994 Long program
1994 Exhibition
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Urban Dictionary
Urban Dictionary非常有趣，裡面收錄許多字典不會看到的俚語、單字、或正常單字的「特殊」語意，詞條解釋似乎是眾網友共同編輯（印象中過去不是），所以每個詞條往往不只有一個解釋，但有可能都在說相同的語意。
今天我看到一個諺語「The proof is in the pudding」，這句話的意思是：東西的好壞得試過才知道。正常的解釋一定是先列出語意，再敘述出處之類。但Urban Dictionary有趣的地方就在於他們的vernacular。以這句話來說，他的解釋開門見山說：說這句話的人都是文盲加大蠢蛋。（歐哈哈）
為什麼呢？因為The proof is in the pudding. 原本應該是 The proof of the pudding is in the eating：布丁好不好，吃吃看就知道。但後來經過口誤，越來越多人都開始說 The proof is in the pudding.
這裡還寫到許多其他類似的例子：could care less（應該是couldn't care less）。
例句也非比尋常的讚。
REPUBLICAN: There's nothing bad about burning coal for energy! It's "clean coal!" The proof is in the pudding!
PROGRESSIVE: Whatever you say, dumbass.
今天我看到一個諺語「The proof is in the pudding」，這句話的意思是：東西的好壞得試過才知道。正常的解釋一定是先列出語意，再敘述出處之類。但Urban Dictionary有趣的地方就在於他們的vernacular。以這句話來說，他的解釋開門見山說：說這句話的人都是文盲加大蠢蛋。（歐哈哈）
為什麼呢？因為The proof is in the pudding. 原本應該是 The proof of the pudding is in the eating：布丁好不好，吃吃看就知道。但後來經過口誤，越來越多人都開始說 The proof is in the pudding.
這裡還寫到許多其他類似的例子：could care less（應該是couldn't care less）。
例句也非比尋常
REPUBLICAN: There's nothing bad about burning coal for energy! It's "clean coal!" The proof is in the pudding!
PROGRESSIVE: Whatever you say, dumbass.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Reality - Again on Atonement
It is a multi-layer story about truth and lies, about how powerful authors can lead readers into beliefs and how little they could do about the reality.
Briony lives to the end of her life in lies she fabricated. It is her fancy that have propelled her into the false charge against Robbie and torn apart the happiness around people that cherish her. However ironically, she has to tell another lie, as an established writer, to put things right, to give her sister and Robbie the justice they deserve.
The movie was so brilliantly done and it must also be mentioned that its director Joe Wright was only 34 at the time. I like where he made a critical full stop to this movie by the old Briony in an interview saying, almost in monologue: "I gave them their happiness", followed by the last scene, the reunion of Robbie and Cecilia on the coast. This makes the twist even more devastating than how it was revealed in the novel (The novel is also great of course).
Is Briony redeemed from her "final act of kindness"? Observe the transition of cinematography styles and color among the three sections, in the words of film critic Devin D. O'Leary: "glowing and summery in the early scenes, dark and wintry in the later". The lights do not just dim. Briony is completely surrounded by solemn darkness in the interview. I don't take it as a positive sign.
(An interview with the cinematographer on Atonement.)
.jpg)
Oh, I indulge too much in this film. It must be the fault of the nostalgic tunes by Dario Marianelli.
Briony lives to the end of her life in lies she fabricated. It is her fancy that have propelled her into the false charge against Robbie and torn apart the happiness around people that cherish her. However ironically, she has to tell another lie, as an established writer, to put things right, to give her sister and Robbie the justice they deserve.
The movie was so brilliantly done and it must also be mentioned that its director Joe Wright was only 34 at the time. I like where he made a critical full stop to this movie by the old Briony in an interview saying, almost in monologue: "I gave them their happiness", followed by the last scene, the reunion of Robbie and Cecilia on the coast. This makes the twist even more devastating than how it was revealed in the novel (The novel is also great of course).
Is Briony redeemed from her "final act of kindness"? Observe the transition of cinematography styles and color among the three sections, in the words of film critic Devin D. O'Leary: "glowing and summery in the early scenes, dark and wintry in the later". The lights do not just dim. Briony is completely surrounded by solemn darkness in the interview. I don't take it as a positive sign.
(An interview with the cinematographer on Atonement.)
.jpg)
Oh, I indulge too much in this film. It must be the fault of the nostalgic tunes by Dario Marianelli.
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