Good Night

Good night.

Random Musing: Little Reunion

Chang says with ominous accuracy that "only people who don't have a life are interested in others' private matters." It's with this voyeur's mentality that I proceed to read Chang's posthumous Little Reunion.

Little Reunion is Chang's catharsis to bring closure to part of her tumultuous life. In so doing, it's almost impossible to distinguish whether Chang is writing herself or writing a fictional character, Shing Gau Lei, who is by and large, in Chang's agent and confidant Stephen Soong's words, "unconventional" and "unsympathetic," just like Chang herself. Fiction is all about human experiences. Chang documents her life in every minute detail possible: from infant to a ghastly abortion with the fetus ended up flushing down the toilet. And in between, some wild sex that includes "carpet munching" and vigorous thrusts that are cervix crushing.

When she was an infant, she prefers to be fed with a china spoon to a steel spoon that inexplicably leaves certain fishy metallic aftertaste which doesn't sit well with her fine palate. This is a quiet harbinger to her impeccable taste and at times irritating sensibility which can easily guarantee her a lifetime of unhappiness. In the course of reading her loveless lonely upbringing in the big family, I can't help but see certain parallel in Chang's description to that of the Dream of Red Chamber: the impending collapse of the old, the decay of the filthy rich, the incestuous relationships within the family, right down to the wet dream of his own brother. Chang saves the most harshest revelation to herself. Gau Lei or herself is amoral when it comes to love. Often time, she sounds like she prefers the war never ends, placing her own interest above that of her own countrymen (she sees herself an outsider no matter where she is). Knowing her first love and probably the only love of her life, Shiu Chi Yung (Hu Lancheng in real life) is married doesn't stop her from beginning the relationship. Nor the fact that he works for the Japanese during the Sino-Japanese War. And not even when she discovers Shiu is a serial womanizer who seems to have an insatiable and uncontrollable appetite for women and sex even or especially in dire times. Many years after their relationship ended, Chang can no longer think of Hu's name but still knows the feeling--her innards are like boiling, her whole body is like on fire, the waves of pain only recedes after a few rushing up the body; the lady may be just experiencing hot flashes during menopause and yet she romanticizes it and attributes it to Hu. Her relationship with Hu may not be what the readers like but this is how she honestly feels about Hu and this is how she lives as a human being and she as a writer likes to share her private matters in all their glory with all those who are willing to learn about life.

I like the non linear narrative of the book. Life is fragmented and so is memory. The structure of the novel just reflects that. Chang picks up pieces of her life bit by bit, and fastidiously arranges them for the world to see. Right on the very first page, Chang is telling us how it's going to be done: the narrative is present, then fast forward to the future then back to the present. And in the end, Chang brings everything full circle, ending the story where it all begins, echoing the exact same sentences. It sends chills down on my spine when I read the very last page.

Weekend Box Office

Duplicity starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owens is no match to Knowing, probably yet another stupid movie from Nicolas Cage; the National Treasure series is such a snooze fest, so I am holding his recent film record against him. But no matter, we just need to escape from this financial clusterfuck that we are in and there is no better movie than a movie like Knowing. Like I said before, there is such a problem with marketing an adult movie like Duplicity, you just don't know what to market despite the hotness of the actors. Or is the star system long gone in Hollywood? Seventeen year olds just don't care that much about Julia Roberts. Roberts couldn't open the movie this past weekend, bummer.

top three box office
1, Knowing
2, I love you, man
3, Duplicity

Free At Last

Have a great weekend everybody.

In Brogues

I bought the DVD on sales when Circuit City went belly up. Seeing Collin Farrel in it doesn't give me a lot of confidence, but at the same time, Ralph Fiennes seems to be able to put in a good performance no matter what. To my surprise, I was able to enjoy this movie on my 22" 1680x1050 LCD down in my basement.

<Spoiler Alert>
Ken, played by the affable Brendan Gless, and Ray, played by bad boy Collin Farrel, are a couple of hit men who work for Harry, a mildly psychotic maniac deliciously played by the always reliable Ralph Fiennes. Ken was put into a conundrum as he was asked by Harry to put away Ray after he accidentally killed a boy on the job. Of course, life has its irony and Harry should have known better. Shit happens, and it can certainly happen on a hit. Harry is a man of honor, the peculiar kind, and expects the same from his men. He practices what he preaches and adheres to his own code of conduct right to the very end.
</Spoiler Alert>

I think one of the problems about the movie is I don't even remember it playing in the theater. I don't know how it does in the box office but I certainly think it's a movie that can present a challenge to the marketing department. It's not a big budget action movie, it's not a comedy per se, it's not a teenage horror movie. Collin Farrel and Ralph Fiennes aren't any stranger to the North American audience but they aren't movie stars that can open any movie. And director Martin McDonagh is not an household name at all.

As an aside, I think Duplicity might have some trouble in the marketing department. Is it a romantic comedy where Ms. Roberts showcases her infectious laughters? Or is it an action movie where Owens shows off his phyical prowess? The movie poster seems to suggest neither. It's not like I can pigeonhole the movie in five seconds. But the only review I read today from the Times is overwhelmingly positive; it's a high gloss smart romantic comedy set in contemporary corporate world. I guess I have to see it to believe it. Roberts and Owens can be good. It's interesting to see how Roberts does in a movie leading role again after spending the past few years playing supporting roles on screen when she was too busy being a wife and a mother in real life.

Snow In March

There is a Chinese saying, if there are flurries in June (六 月飛 霜), there must be some great injustice. So what's with this March flurries happening in NYC? It must be because of the Wall Street bonus as usual. So what's with the 90% tax on the bonus? It's still good, you are getting $1,000,000 for free to begin with, and now you still get $100,000 for a job well done, i.e. running the company to the ground and ruining capitalism. This is Congress knee jerk remedy to allay the public outrage to the absolutely incorrigible self-serving and totally loathsome Wall Street behavior. I will take the 10% in a heart beat. Alas, I didn't ruin any company nor the global financial system, no bonus for me.

Dahlia-Like Turban

The dahlia-like turban is decidedly whimsical, together with the sandals over socks, sandwich the rather masculine monochromatic garb in the middle, making the whole more interesting than the sum of its parts.

Random Musing: Little Reunion

This my musing on Little Reunion. There are many like it but this one is mine.

This can be called Memoir Of A Writer As The Last Chinese Aristocrat. But of course, the name Little Reunion is so much better. In the end, there is no reunion not even a little one. Irony is still alive and so well preserved in Chang's work. This is a no-holds-barred autobiography of her life from childhood to her late twenties. And I have to say this is the bomb. And I can't help but think how could Ang Lee be so prescient when he directed Si Jie which was based on Chang's same name short story, with added explicit sex scenes that couldn't be found in the original work? Apparently Lee was way ahead of us, seeing what we couldn't see in Chang. My hunch of all the explicit sex scenes in both Chang and Lee's works are a way of a clear fuck-you and liberation arising from the protagonist's indignation toward her life and time in general. And to a certain extent, humans are just animals without furs.

How Do People See One Another

How do people (more like computer nerds) see one another computerwise.

Here is a picture matrix depicting how fanboys of Mac, PC, and Linux see one another. It's mildly offensive. 18+ and view at your own risk. May not be work safe.

Consumerism

Another computer after Sony that promises you can stick it up in your behind.

Photo via Engadget via Electronista. I am just recycling news here.

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Right before lunch…
“Okay,” said Mr. Bob, “take out your homework.” “I didn’t do it!” blurted out Jack. “EEEK!” screamed almost everyone in the classroom. “You stop that!” yelled Mr. Bob. “Next time, raise your hand!” Mr. Bob took note that Jack did not do his homework. “One more time you call out you are going to be in serious trouble!” said Mr. Bob. As you can see, Jack has issues with calling out. “Sheesh!” thought Jack. “Mr. Bob, you aren’t following the three strikes and you are out rule! You are only giving me two chances!” called out Jack. “EEEK!” screamed almost everyone in the class. “You scared me!” screamed someone. The three strikes and you are out rule is if you disobey rules three times you get into trouble. “I’m going to contact your parents!” said Mr. Bob firmly. “Darn!” shouted Jack. “AHH!” screamed almost everyone in the class. Mr. Bob glared at Jack. “Calm down class,” said Mr. Bob. “Now let’s go over homework.” RING!

The same day at lunch…
Jack was minding his own business when Mr. A made an announcement. “Boys basketball tryouts are tomorrow!” Sam knocked Jack’s friend, Andrew, aside. “Hey!” said Andrew. “So you are trying to make it to the team?” asked Sam. “Yeah,” said Jack. “Me too,” said Andrew. “I’m not talking to you!” shouted Sam. “Didn’t have to yell,” said Andrew. “Tryouts are tomorrow,” said Sam. “And you are going down wimp!” Jack, Sam, and Andrew were ready for the next day.

All of a sudden, Jack remembered last year…
“Jack!” yelled Andrew. “What?” asked Jack. “Did you know that people on the team get lunch early?!” “Awesome!” exclaimed Jack. Both of them tried out but didn’t make it. Sam had told them they were wimps!

After Jack had a good rest, he got to school. At lunch the next day… “Tryouts, line up!” yelled Mr. A. Jack had gotten lunch early that day. He was full of energy. He had practiced hard in the summer. The line went into the gym. LATER … When Jack returned, he came running into the classroom door. WHAM! Jack opened the classroom door and got in. “I’m innnn!” he screamed. Teachers looked at the classroom. “Calm down!” scolded Mr. Bob. In a kinder voice, Mr. Bob said, “Congratulations Jack. Now who else in this class is in the team?” Sam and Andrew raised their hands. “Good job!” said Mr. Bob. “Jack, if you don’t improve your behavior, you will not be on the team!” “What!” exclaimed Jack. “But he’s the best!” said Andrew. “I’m the best you fool!” shouted Sam. Sam shoved Andrew. A bunch of kids laughed. “Silence!” screamed Mr. Bob. “Sam and Jack go to the principal’s office now! As if now, you two aren’t on the team! And if you call out again Andrew you are kicked off too!” “Ooooh!” said a bunch of kids. Sam and Jack nervously went into the office.

At, In, And Outside of the Office…
The secretary told them to sit down and wait. Sam and Jack were sweating like crazy. Sam didn’t dare to shove Jack because the secretary was watching. “Jack, you can go in now,” said the secretary. Jack went in.
“Okay Jack. I’m going to make you a deal. If you behave very well, I’m going to put you back on the team and give you some cookies as a motivation,” said Mr. Bay. “It’s a deal!” said Jack.
Sam played with his fingers. When the door flew open, Jack ran out. “What happened?” asked Sam. “I’m going to get cookies!” replied Jack as he ran back to his class. “What!” thought Sam. “Sam, your turn,” said the secretary. Sam confidently walked in. He was going to ask Mr. Bay for a cookie as soon as he got in…

Back in class … Mr. Bob had informed bad behavior to the gym teacher on the phone.

A week later…
Jack had improved his behavior since he had made the deal. He really tried to raise his hand. Meanwhile, Sam got into a little trouble for asking for cookies. But he and Mr. Bay had made the same deal as Jack. Both boys were working hard. And then, the moment they were waiting for came. Cookies! Mr. Bay had given them chocolate chip cookies for their good behavior. Plus, Mr. A and Mr. Bob let them stay on the team. “Whew! I thought you wouldn’t be on the team anymore man!” said Andrew. Andrew and Jack high-fived. “Sorry I called you two wimps,” said Sam. “It’s okay,” said Jack and Andrew.

Another week later…
Game! PS901 Killers (Jack’s team) versus PS736 Twisters
PS736 had the ball. The kid who had the ball tried to pass over Sam. Sam jumped up and caught the basketball. Andrew was open near the half court line. Sam passed the ball to Andrew. Andrew saw that Jack was the only one open. 5, 4… the score was 18-19 PS736 leading. Andrew passed to Jack. 3, 2… Jack shot the ball near the foul line. 1- BZZZ! Swish! The killers had won! 20- 19! “We won!” screamed Mr. A. Everybody on the team high-fived. Jack, Sam, and Andrew couldn’t wait to go back to school and tell everyone.

NOTE: Guest blog, not written by me.

16 Things About My Blog

1. Before there was blog, there was personal homepage. I thought I was going to rule the world with my personal homepage. It didn't happen.
2. Then came blog. I set up mine in 2004. I thought I was going to rule the world with my blog. It didn't happen.
3. Two is not a trend yet. So there is still a chance I will rule the world.
4. My posts speak for themselves. They are just the greatest.
5. There are certain posts I like better than others.
6. Some of the posts even the recent ones, now looking back, I wonder where I got the energy to write them as much a genius as I am, they don't come easy at all.
7. I not only post pictures of my kids but myself, just so I am at least fair even I totally deprive my readers' imagination.
   
8. My blog has a very small but devoted group of readers. They all have one thing in common, very interested in PacAir Range hood.
9. I don't have a lot of comments so I tend to reply them pretty timely, actually compulsively.
10. I deleted comments before. I didn't particularly enjoy doing it but I did it anyway. I blame the commenter. If I did the deletion then it's totally cool because it's inevitable if others do that to me then it totally sucks.
11. I think people who disable comments are cool. And people who enable comments but never reply them are even cooler. I am neither because I am not cool.
    
12. The thought of learning to compose and post in Chinese did come across my mind. But I don't think it's going to happen.
13. I feel mildly inadequate as nobody has stolen any of my posts or pictures before. Sometimes I read some bloggers complain their posts got stolen or got totally ripped off by newspapers without attribution. <Sour Grapes>I feel bad for those bloggers but at the same time I was like man those people or newspapers who allegedly steal really have very questionable literary taste; of all the articles out there why from this XYZ, or ABC? Plagiarism is bad but poor incompetent plagiarism is just pathetic.</Sour Grapes> If my posts ever got stolen, I think that would be the end of civilization as we know it.
    
14. I wish I can write better.
15. Wishful thinking never helps.
16. I've got to read more.
17. Like real books.
18. Not just any blogs.
19. Less is more is a lie.
20. More is more.
21. OKAY, Good night.
22. And one more thing, thank you for all the bloggers who have been an inpiration to me.
    

Topic from wordx3

A Cold Day In The Park

It's not the bitter cold, it's the glaring sunshine slanting on their faces, blinding them.  I annoyed them more by insisting them to stay still, eyes opened, looking right into the lens and the sun while I clumsily composed and fiddled with the focus.

A Day In The Park

Untitled

The more I look at these two, the more I like them. They really grow on me. I love my pictures, I just do.

Apple iPod Shuffle

I was just going to check out for a potential iPod purchase then I was greeted with the new iPod Shuffle. It's so small that is big. It's so small that is beautiful, it's so small that you are going to lose it, it's so small that they can't put control on the thingy itself. Anyway, the control is on the cord, so that means you can't use any other earphones? That could be possible. And it has this technology called VoiceOver that guarantees to leave you speechless, it is multilingual (Mandarin, no Cantonese support), and can speak playlists and whatnot. I suspect the technology is probably originated and derived from the visually impaired. This little 4GB contraption is selling for $79.

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Ubuntu 8.10 64 Bit

I wonder if anybody can shed some light on running Ubuntu 8.10 (or 8.04) in 64 Bit. My plan is to run Cinelerra and Kino. I don't know if it's going to be too much of a pain (though I can almost feel it already, I could have bought a Dell or a Mac, but I am such a masochist). My excuse for a possible new system is so hardware won't be holding me back to be the greatest one man movie maker ever. My preferred or compromised video format is the going to be HDV, I think. I have researched online for a day or so, and I couldn't find a lot of timely information. If anyone has experience, please drop me a few lines. Much appreciated.

Random Musing: Little Reunion

I like Eileen Chang, because she had chicken feet handwriting. She must have eaten plenty of chicken feet. It's comforting to see a literary giant with chicken feet penmanship like hers.

The fact that she was from Shanghai and from a very well-to-do family easily makes her kind of feeling superior (or some might consider downright snobby). As a general principle, she has a healthy disdain for most of the people she comes across. Most of the Southerners, like local Hong Kong people she describes are flat faced, loud, all in all just plain ugly inside and outside. Once I looked past that, I was able to enjoy her writing. Or wait, I still have to "put up" with the English names written in Chinese. Because of the time and setting of the story, many of her characters have English names and they are transliterated in Chinese; I can't help but try to figure out what they really are: Bibi, Andrews, Audrey and so on and so forth. I have no doubt some names I thought are English in origin are indeed Chinese to begin with. It takes some efforts to get used to those names in their Chinese incarnations. Also her prose is pretty much Anglicized which isn't necessarily a bad thing or a good thing. The narrative jumps around a bit. Right off the bat on the very first page, it's present , then a quick fast forward, then back to present. Sometimes, it's fun and sometimes not so much, you just have to re-read it in order to form some narrative coherence.

Special Announcement

Hong Kong is now 12 hours ahead of New York City.

Trend

What's the trend of otherwise beautiful people wear decidedly uncomplimentary eyeglasses? Is it a revolt to chic or a tribute to uber photographer Terry Richardson?

A Sad Day For All The Pirates

As of March 2, The Pirate Bay brought to you by our Swede brothers is down, probably a result of a DDoS attack purported by the IFPI as reported in Wiki. Meanwhile the owners are on trial for all kinds of copyright infringements. I guess people looking for torrent trackers have to look elsewhere.

While the pirates in France thought they had the green light from the French court to sell the two looted bronze heads during the Opium War in 1860 in Saint Laurent's posthumous garage sale, the Chinese were not going to just do nothing. In a "patriotic" move, a Chinese man Cai Mingchao submitted the highest bids to Christie's for the heads and won. But Mr. Cai now says he is not going to pay up for his winning bids, a total of some $40 millions with commission included. So the message is screw you, France, Mr. Berge and Christie's. Mr. Cai runs the risk of getting negative feedback from Mr. Berge ... oh sorry it's not ebay.

Meanwhile the pirate brethren in China aren't faring any better. As reported by the New York Times, lawyers representing the likes of Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Burberry are coming down hard on the mall owners who allow shops to sell counterfeits in their properties. Many stalls selling super-A merchandise, knockoffs that are so good that they are on par or even better than the real things, are forced to close. But our Chinese pirates won't just go away quietly, instead they unite to pose a counter-attack against the lawyers and mall managers representing those Western interests, demanding an apology and essentially their right to pirate those craps from France, Italy, Great Britain and whatever brands that can sell. They are saying if the French can sell looted Chinese artifacts, it is only fair that they can pirate their Louis Vuitton bags. (I totally made that up, I think what some vendors are saying that it's unpatriotic for the lawyers to come down on them when they are just trying to eat.)

Oh, brother. The world of piracy couldn't be more interesting.

Snow Day

Special Announcement: New York City Public Schools are all closed due to severe weather condition.

Holy cow, I think my pictures are just breath taking.  If you disagree, you are just wrong.

I Am Stimulated

I am so stimulated I finally got on a DVD and CD buying spree at Circuit City when they are all 70% off on every awful movie or CD ever produced by human kind. The biggest loser and by my definition and observation is Will Smith's twin double failures. They were such an eye sore, plenty of "I am Legend" and "Hancock" can still be found on racks along with Jodi Foster's good girl turned vigilante "The Brave One." The Dark Knight and any Pixar movies are nowhere to be found. I like Will Smith and Jodie Foster but their new movies just don't quite live up to my expectation.