Tuesday, December 21
I Sing Hosanna
When God the Father saw us at our worst, He loved us with His best. He sent Jesus. Not just to heal the sick and cast out demons, but also to take our place of absolute condemnation on the cross. It was never the nails that held Him there. It was love. We were on His mind.
Monday, November 1
Gini Coefficient
Recently there was a discussion of an implementation of a minimum wage policy for the city state's economy.
The mother of all trade unions in the state, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has came out strongly against such an implementation. The secretary-general cited highly negative repercussions like jacking up business costs and joblessness, costs of living, while eroding the economy's competitive edge. Furthermore, it would does little to help the income inequality.
On one juncture I read a low brow assertion. Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) who is on the same side as NTUC, claims that although every advanced economy like taiwan, South Korea or Japan has minimum wage... Germany, Denmark, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland have a relatively narrow income gap even without a minimum wage. "Countries with or without the minimum wage can have a relatively low GINI COEFFICIENT." it said, referring to the index that measures income distribution in a country. It is stunningly interesting to note the countries cited, and their fundamental differences.
Seriously that is a shallow assertion.
The International Labour Organisation, which has 90 percent of its member with a mimimum wage policy, is toothlessly careful in asserting itself. It states that the minimum wage is effective only when the income gap is growing as a result of wages collapsing at the bottom. Sometimes people make a plain concept sound sophisticated. And I find it a little amusing that this actually makes a point.
In any case, the income gap situation is stated to be led by top-income earners in the country. Suggestion that progressive tax on the rich is more effective is also being thrown up. How nice. How simple. Only that it is as flawed as communism.
The conclusion is that the union continues to believe in their minimum skills approach as opposed to a minimum wage one, and to help the lowest bracket with Workfare Income Supplement And Workforce Skills Qualification system.
The conclusion, quoting Ah Keng, IS THE SAME!!
The mother of all trade unions in the state, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has came out strongly against such an implementation. The secretary-general cited highly negative repercussions like jacking up business costs and joblessness, costs of living, while eroding the economy's competitive edge. Furthermore, it would does little to help the income inequality.
On one juncture I read a low brow assertion. Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) who is on the same side as NTUC, claims that although every advanced economy like taiwan, South Korea or Japan has minimum wage... Germany, Denmark, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland have a relatively narrow income gap even without a minimum wage. "Countries with or without the minimum wage can have a relatively low GINI COEFFICIENT." it said, referring to the index that measures income distribution in a country. It is stunningly interesting to note the countries cited, and their fundamental differences.
Seriously that is a shallow assertion.
The International Labour Organisation, which has 90 percent of its member with a mimimum wage policy, is toothlessly careful in asserting itself. It states that the minimum wage is effective only when the income gap is growing as a result of wages collapsing at the bottom. Sometimes people make a plain concept sound sophisticated. And I find it a little amusing that this actually makes a point.
In any case, the income gap situation is stated to be led by top-income earners in the country. Suggestion that progressive tax on the rich is more effective is also being thrown up. How nice. How simple. Only that it is as flawed as communism.
The conclusion is that the union continues to believe in their minimum skills approach as opposed to a minimum wage one, and to help the lowest bracket with Workfare Income Supplement And Workforce Skills Qualification system.
The conclusion, quoting Ah Keng, IS THE SAME!!
Saturday, October 23
Drilling Dentist
I went for a dental appointment, it being part of my entitlement with my staff pass. How often do you make dental appointments with a cosy and appealling outfit like Lee and Lee? Perhaps in this part of the world any service by such names just exudes a supreme sense of prestige and assurance. It was about a quarter of an hour of train ride from where I live. And I would not have to pay for it, I reflected with a wan smile.
Happily.
The view out of the full length window was made fader by the country wide haze, nowhere as clear and sweet as the pretty dentist's voice. However, the sounds of drilling the dentist made are really loud. With my mouth stretched wide, she scraped and drilled in me, from many different angles. The tools shrieked like some apocalyptic alien machines. The loud difference a word can make in an otherwise soft statement. made.
Noisily.
You do the usual: lay down, sit up, spit blood, & gargle the rather consistently refilled plastic cup of water. The blood in the mini basin would probably shock some, but I have my way of dealing with it. So, tempted was I to ask the pretty dentist if I would die of excessive blood loss. But I knew it would not be wise to distract the dentist with impressions of, or reactions to, my silly pick up line kind of comments. Better to wait till it is finished. The cost of blood. For teeth cleaner, and I imagine, whiter than snow.
Faithfully.
I took the same lift down after I finished my appointment and proceeded en route to another. It struck me that while I have been doing a lot of mileage on the vertical scale, between the airless zeniths and the grooved hard ground, I have not done much elevator lifts. I have been exiled to the countryside for quite a while. Feels strange to be elevated without outside visuals. It is almost like a coffin; a coffin transports you on the vertical plane too, except the elevator has lights and buttons, and it takes more people at once.
Strangely.
Happily.
The view out of the full length window was made fader by the country wide haze, nowhere as clear and sweet as the pretty dentist's voice. However, the sounds of drilling the dentist made are really loud. With my mouth stretched wide, she scraped and drilled in me, from many different angles. The tools shrieked like some apocalyptic alien machines. The loud difference a word can make in an otherwise soft statement. made.
Noisily.
You do the usual: lay down, sit up, spit blood, & gargle the rather consistently refilled plastic cup of water. The blood in the mini basin would probably shock some, but I have my way of dealing with it. So, tempted was I to ask the pretty dentist if I would die of excessive blood loss. But I knew it would not be wise to distract the dentist with impressions of, or reactions to, my silly pick up line kind of comments. Better to wait till it is finished. The cost of blood. For teeth cleaner, and I imagine, whiter than snow.
Faithfully.
I took the same lift down after I finished my appointment and proceeded en route to another. It struck me that while I have been doing a lot of mileage on the vertical scale, between the airless zeniths and the grooved hard ground, I have not done much elevator lifts. I have been exiled to the countryside for quite a while. Feels strange to be elevated without outside visuals. It is almost like a coffin; a coffin transports you on the vertical plane too, except the elevator has lights and buttons, and it takes more people at once.
Strangely.
Monday, October 18
Eighteen eighteen
I came on the eighteen and i left on the eighteen. Full circle? Really not quite. If only one always thinks more than one feels. Just a step away. And I know i can make it good. The chance is not spared. The circle is not full. Whatever. All things work for the good...
Thursday, October 14
Heavenly Sword
Just completed the 1986 TVB drama serial rendition of Jin Yong's famous pugilistic novel: The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre.
I realised there was a discrepancy between the original novel ending and the drama serial. In the closing pages of the written novel, the protagonist Zhang Wu Ji was engaged in a refreshingly harmonious conversation with both Zhaomin and Zhou Zhirou. But the drama version depicts Zhang Wu Ji and Zhaomin roaming the world together hand in hand.
There was also an interesting line by Zhaomin when she told ZWJ that had he not come and look for her, she would simply 空杯以待，丫阁终老！which were not the author's original. Nevertheless it is a sweet and astounding line that is well weighted for their lyrical ending.
I realised there was a discrepancy between the original novel ending and the drama serial. In the closing pages of the written novel, the protagonist Zhang Wu Ji was engaged in a refreshingly harmonious conversation with both Zhaomin and Zhou Zhirou. But the drama version depicts Zhang Wu Ji and Zhaomin roaming the world together hand in hand.
There was also an interesting line by Zhaomin when she told ZWJ that had he not come and look for her, she would simply 空杯以待，丫阁终老！which were not the author's original. Nevertheless it is a sweet and astounding line that is well weighted for their lyrical ending.
Wednesday, October 6
Intuitive Inception
I had won the last twenty games straight (yes I have been like a bullish market at the moment; maybe a few weeks down I'll lose twenty games straight) BUT this one game stood out. By the twentieth move I was already very impressed with this American by the nick of Professor MKA and I asked for his name: for he is a worthy opponent. However, I was coldly snubbed. The only reply I ever got was "You may win this" to which I was tempted to reply "I will win this". Disclaimer: I am never cocky to nice people. Anyway in this match I was dangerously losing my pieces, with the odds getting really stacked against me. Pretty scary. With a suffered force in a perilous and dangerously open position (just check out how my king was attacked "left/ right/ centre") I was about to crack and then I had a Tal Mikhail inspiration. I led my opponent into a deep dark forest with an intuitive sense of abandon. Check out the two instrumental rook sacrifices. A sense of suave quite like that of scoring a bicycle kick. Truly, as warned by experts, the french opening can lead to board wide chaos and fun not for the faint hearted.
Play chess online
Tuesday, September 21
Baffling Balance
This is one tense game I had recently. While white resigned in the end, I never really felt I owned the game, and I mean never for a moment. All the time I was stretched between attacking and defending, and we were both threading on thin ropes. One single unbalancing step would have put one of us out of the game. Somehow this guy plays in a way which summons my subtley in play. Bensbookshelves is one of the most respectable opponent I have played on GWF. Truly. Another fine player that comes to mind is Sentosa.
Play online chess
Thursday, August 19
Jupiter Japanese
Amazing, I was watching a rendition of 千の風になって on youtube, and then after the song, the female singer sang a song by the name of Jupiter, her pop version of the classical namesake. I was surprised, as I never knew there is a pop version of Gustav Holst's grand Jupiter from his famous orchestral suite: The Planets. Jupiter is one of two of my favourite movement from his suite; the other being the irresistibly powerful Mars. This rendition of 千の風になって is sung by Masafumi Akikawa and Hirahara Ayaka and the lyrics of the popular Japanese song had been posted in an earlier entry.
Wednesday, August 18
Magnificent Magnus
There is something special happening in the world of chess.
The current number one in the world is a young Norwegian by the name of Magnus Carlsen.
I do not follow the world rankings too closely but last year year I was shocked by the announcement that he had risen to be number one. He had always been one of the most prodigal chess youths around the world. But his meteoric rise is almost the stuff made of legends.
I just read an article of time covering the young king of chess:
Vladimir Kramnik, former world chess champion and current No. 4, is playing in the first round of the London Chess Classic, the most competitive chess tournament to be played in the U.K. capital in 25 years. Tall, handsome and expressionless, he looks exactly as a man who has mastered a game of nearly infinite variation should: like a high-end assassin. Today, however, he is getting methodically and mercilessly crushed.
His opponent is a teenager who seems to be having difficulty staying awake. Magnus Carlsen yawns, fidgets, slumps in his chair. He gets up and wanders over to the other games, staring at the boards like a curious toddler.
Every now and then, he returns to his own game and moves one of his pieces, inexorably building an attack so fierce that by the 43rd move Kramnik sees the hopelessness of his position and resigns.
...
Carlsen joins chess's élite at a time of unprecedented change. He is one of a generation of players who learned the game from computers. To this day, he's not certain if he has an actual board at home. "I might have one somewhere. I'm not sure," he says.
Powerful chess programs, which now routinely beat the best human competitors, have allowed grand masters to study positions at a deeper level than was possible before. Short says top players can now spend almost an entire game trading moves that have been scripted by the same program and that such play by rote has removed some of the mystique of chess. He likens chess computers to "chainsaws chopping down the Amazon." (Read a Q&A with Carlsen.)
But Kasparov says Carlsen's mastery is rooted in a "deep intuitive sense no computer can teach" and that his pupil "has a natural feel for where to place the pieces." According to Kasparov, Carlsen has a knack for sensing the potential energy in each move, even if its ultimate effect is too far away for anyone — even a computer — to calculate.
In the grand-master commentary room, where chess's clerisy gather to analyze play, the experts did not even consider several of Carlsen's moves during his game with Kramnik until they saw them and realized they were perfect. "It's hard to explain," Carlsen says. "Sometimes a move just feels right."
...
This is the young superstar for you. Interestingly he is featured in a G-Star Raw advertisement. Does this herald a new era of chess celebrity and popularity? I do hope so.
The current number one in the world is a young Norwegian by the name of Magnus Carlsen.
I do not follow the world rankings too closely but last year year I was shocked by the announcement that he had risen to be number one. He had always been one of the most prodigal chess youths around the world. But his meteoric rise is almost the stuff made of legends.I just read an article of time covering the young king of chess:
Vladimir Kramnik, former world chess champion and current No. 4, is playing in the first round of the London Chess Classic, the most competitive chess tournament to be played in the U.K. capital in 25 years. Tall, handsome and expressionless, he looks exactly as a man who has mastered a game of nearly infinite variation should: like a high-end assassin. Today, however, he is getting methodically and mercilessly crushed.
His opponent is a teenager who seems to be having difficulty staying awake. Magnus Carlsen yawns, fidgets, slumps in his chair. He gets up and wanders over to the other games, staring at the boards like a curious toddler.Every now and then, he returns to his own game and moves one of his pieces, inexorably building an attack so fierce that by the 43rd move Kramnik sees the hopelessness of his position and resigns.
...
Carlsen joins chess's élite at a time of unprecedented change. He is one of a generation of players who learned the game from computers. To this day, he's not certain if he has an actual board at home. "I might have one somewhere. I'm not sure," he says.
Powerful chess programs, which now routinely beat the best human competitors, have allowed grand masters to study positions at a deeper level than was possible before. Short says top players can now spend almost an entire game trading moves that have been scripted by the same program and that such play by rote has removed some of the mystique of chess. He likens chess computers to "chainsaws chopping down the Amazon." (Read a Q&A with Carlsen.)
But Kasparov says Carlsen's mastery is rooted in a "deep intuitive sense no computer can teach" and that his pupil "has a natural feel for where to place the pieces." According to Kasparov, Carlsen has a knack for sensing the potential energy in each move, even if its ultimate effect is too far away for anyone — even a computer — to calculate.In the grand-master commentary room, where chess's clerisy gather to analyze play, the experts did not even consider several of Carlsen's moves during his game with Kramnik until they saw them and realized they were perfect. "It's hard to explain," Carlsen says. "Sometimes a move just feels right."
...
This is the young superstar for you. Interestingly he is featured in a G-Star Raw advertisement. Does this herald a new era of chess celebrity and popularity? I do hope so.
Friday, August 6
Stalemating Sentosa
Sentosa is a chess mate from England. Very co-incidentally he visited Sentosa before, and hence forth the name. We beat each other almost equally. The most recent game that ended today, ended in a draw. It was one of the most personally instructive endgame. From a dull start the game gently sloped up to a pressurising midgame and a descent in search of an end without shame. And the best part was the accurate execution required to keep within the tolerance of the path leading there...
Play chess online
Archer Alluring
Last night, I saw Sagittarius, when I walked to and out of the main gate to put out the trashbag.
The wandering archer, poised with its bow and arrow, shone alluringly in the western end of the quiet heavens.
The wandering archer, poised with its bow and arrow, shone alluringly in the western end of the quiet heavens.
Tuesday, August 3
Short Sermon
Tamara Lowe (A Very Short Sermon)
To be a Survivor in this Amazing Race
With the need for speed you need God's grace
And if you are desperate-like housewives
Watching days of our lives
You can't cope without hope and that's not on a soap
If you're looking to Opera or Doc Phil
You can shop non-stop or pop a pill
But the void won't fill, and the pain won't kill
Til u love the one that hung on the hill
Kicking back in your lazy boy Ezy chair watching who wants to be a millionaire
Nah... you're not gonna find it there.
No American Idol or council tribal has a final answer that will satisfy you
CSI aint got a clue, SBU dunno what to do
Not the ER, or the OC
Not them on the CD TV DVD or MP3 can save you and me.
Cnn's got no good news, Here's a headlines you must choose!
It's not a simple life parisilk, let's thread on thin ice living in sin.
You can be a primas or donna trampled fast food from a dump
You can be a heavy hitter or a wheel of fortune winner,
a fox news-ner, spin spinner or flat out sinner
But you better check this life you're living, your sins are forgiven
I bet you 50 cents Einstein came and went
Eventually every black eye pea want to finally Pea ditty and Britney
Wants to be on MTV with their icy bling, every dixie chick that sings
They ALL gonna see the King of Kings!
I dun care if you are J Lo, Olano or Obano, One thing you gotta know,
Someday you gonna die, bro, Then where're you gonna go?
Hey I'm not talking some punk junk that's irrelevant like your grandma's church from way back when it's not some preacher feature on TV and that you need to like and to be listening.
The real superstar is Jesus Christ. He's the way, he's the truth and the life.
One day's He gonna split the sky, He's the brightest light, and the highest high. So, what I came to say, and what I'm telling you: Dun buy that stupid stuff they'll be selling you...
It's all designed to fill your head and waste your space until you're dead.
Here's the bottom line of my rhyme, Give you life to God, while there's still time.
Correct my dictation if I got any part of the rap wrong. Thanks!
To be a Survivor in this Amazing Race
With the need for speed you need God's grace
And if you are desperate-like housewives
Watching days of our lives
You can't cope without hope and that's not on a soap
If you're looking to Opera or Doc Phil
You can shop non-stop or pop a pill
But the void won't fill, and the pain won't kill
Til u love the one that hung on the hill
Kicking back in your lazy boy Ezy chair watching who wants to be a millionaire
Nah... you're not gonna find it there.
No American Idol or council tribal has a final answer that will satisfy you
CSI aint got a clue, SBU dunno what to do
Not the ER, or the OC
Not them on the CD TV DVD or MP3 can save you and me.
Cnn's got no good news, Here's a headlines you must choose!
It's not a simple life parisilk, let's thread on thin ice living in sin.
You can be a primas or donna trampled fast food from a dump
You can be a heavy hitter or a wheel of fortune winner,
a fox news-ner, spin spinner or flat out sinner
But you better check this life you're living, your sins are forgiven
I bet you 50 cents Einstein came and went
Eventually every black eye pea want to finally Pea ditty and Britney
Wants to be on MTV with their icy bling, every dixie chick that sings
They ALL gonna see the King of Kings!
I dun care if you are J Lo, Olano or Obano, One thing you gotta know,
Someday you gonna die, bro, Then where're you gonna go?
Hey I'm not talking some punk junk that's irrelevant like your grandma's church from way back when it's not some preacher feature on TV and that you need to like and to be listening.
The real superstar is Jesus Christ. He's the way, he's the truth and the life.
One day's He gonna split the sky, He's the brightest light, and the highest high. So, what I came to say, and what I'm telling you: Dun buy that stupid stuff they'll be selling you...
It's all designed to fill your head and waste your space until you're dead.
Here's the bottom line of my rhyme, Give you life to God, while there's still time.
Correct my dictation if I got any part of the rap wrong. Thanks!
Sunday, July 25
Soccer Suddenly
Today I had wanted to go for a run. I ended up getting invited for a casual game of soccer at a field nearby. A neighbour Abdullah got me to join a 9 a side game with his Saudi Arabian friends. There was several fields together and they all had decent goal posts, and the best part was that it was free to use and the air was good: no expressway or high speed/volume motorways nearby.
When they asked me what position I play, I just offered myself as a central... defender. I decided against asking for the midfielder role since I am off my peak pace and stamina. I declared to my team mates that I am not a speedy player. These guys were not only hospitable and friendly but funny too, when they assured "Just need to pass well". And was I confident enough to smile "Sure"... after all, passing was probably my best attribute! Other than first touch volleys and shots... and, the Lambretta.
And as the match progressed, the last man (aka the sweeper) was so effective in defence that I could move up and played CM, which was seriously a lot of running, as they play quite a lot of quick counter attackings with long passes.
It didn't help that the field was not as flat as the astro-turfs I have previously played on. And I did not bring along my Adidas boots with me on this work trip.
I didn't make much offensive initiatives and could only boast of a 100% pass rate out of the far and few touches I had.
Then I got a lucky break when I managed to steal a ball from one of their adventurous defender. I made a gamble of where he was going to push the ball past me, to my delight and his shock, I got the ball. And in a flash, I made a quick dash forward past the giver defender, and drove a low shot past another advancing defender into the farpost. There was a joy celebrating with teammates, and I only wish my football mates are with me.
An unexpected break, and bola action from nowhere, at a place and time I least expected.
When they asked me what position I play, I just offered myself as a central... defender. I decided against asking for the midfielder role since I am off my peak pace and stamina. I declared to my team mates that I am not a speedy player. These guys were not only hospitable and friendly but funny too, when they assured "Just need to pass well". And was I confident enough to smile "Sure"... after all, passing was probably my best attribute! Other than first touch volleys and shots... and, the Lambretta.
And as the match progressed, the last man (aka the sweeper) was so effective in defence that I could move up and played CM, which was seriously a lot of running, as they play quite a lot of quick counter attackings with long passes.It didn't help that the field was not as flat as the astro-turfs I have previously played on. And I did not bring along my Adidas boots with me on this work trip.
I didn't make much offensive initiatives and could only boast of a 100% pass rate out of the far and few touches I had.
Then I got a lucky break when I managed to steal a ball from one of their adventurous defender. I made a gamble of where he was going to push the ball past me, to my delight and his shock, I got the ball. And in a flash, I made a quick dash forward past the giver defender, and drove a low shot past another advancing defender into the farpost. There was a joy celebrating with teammates, and I only wish my football mates are with me.
An unexpected break, and bola action from nowhere, at a place and time I least expected.
Tuesday, July 13
Piece Passionate
Was on youtube and saw a rendition of Bach's prelude and fugue from his Well Tempered Clavier Book 1. And then I read what the author had to say about the piece:
This is one of our favorites of all the preludes and fugues by Bach. It is full of passion. Bach was deeply religous. Some scholars say that the chromatic minor subject in the fugue is a representation of Jesus and his suffering on the cross, whilst the transcentally beautiful episodes represent the consoling angelic voices of heaven. However you choose to interpret this piece, it is deeply moving. This 4 voice fugue is also, in our opinion, technically the hardest one in the entire book to play.
Last week's church service also saw a bit of Bach. It was a refreshing moment for me. And I really appreciate the rendition of Jesu, Joy of man's desiring on my favourite instrument.
This is one of our favorites of all the preludes and fugues by Bach. It is full of passion. Bach was deeply religous. Some scholars say that the chromatic minor subject in the fugue is a representation of Jesus and his suffering on the cross, whilst the transcentally beautiful episodes represent the consoling angelic voices of heaven. However you choose to interpret this piece, it is deeply moving. This 4 voice fugue is also, in our opinion, technically the hardest one in the entire book to play.
Last week's church service also saw a bit of Bach. It was a refreshing moment for me. And I really appreciate the rendition of Jesu, Joy of man's desiring on my favourite instrument.
Thursday, July 1
Ruby Roby
I said (12:24 AM):
u got your own football?
JUNX said (12:24 AM):
got.
I said (12:25 AM):
Can practise then : )
JUNX says (12:25 AM):
*ic
JUNX says (12:26 AM):
*i everytime shoot, is not way over then is like curve>>>
JUNX says (12:28 AM):
*the grass
*st wilfird is artifical right
I says (12:30 AM):
*Artifical yes.
I says (12:31 AM):
*Way over... hmmm... u really need some quality shooting training.
*curved shot is not a bad thing
*: )
JUNX says (12:31 AM):
*the goal post nt big enuf
*=x
I says (12:32 AM):
*If the goal post needs to be bigger, then the whole field will need to be bigger, much more distance to run, and your shot has to have much more power.
JUNX says (12:32 AM):
*ahh
*i feel that
*the
*pitch
*is just right for me
JUNX says (12:33 AM):
*street soccer is too small =x
I says (12:33 AM):
*Yup. St Wilfrid is very nice lol : ) full field... really needs disciplined training.
JUNX says (12:34 AM):
*the weather is perfect today
*hope everytime is like that
I says (12:37 AM):
*HAHAH. that won't happen.
JUNX says (12:38 AM):
*yea
*yuan xin today like no mood to play
JUNX says (12:40 AM):
*omg
*today
*u did that
*trick
*so cool
I says (12:41 AM):
*Yuan Xin still tried hard... it's just that... he didn't get enough passes.
*I thot well of Yuan xin, and even Gary, he has lot of effort and shots at goal... pity none was hard hit enough.
JUNX says (12:41 AM):
*ya
JUNX says (12:42 AM):
*i dunno why they can shot
*as in near
*i cant get it
*oo
I says (12:42 AM):
*lol... that trick... i learnt it when i was in sec 3. At first just for fun, then later i really used it to get past players... had a lot of fun with that trick.
JUNX says (12:43 AM):
*cool
I says (12:43 AM):
*u dunno why they can shoot as in near? what do u mean?
JUNX says (12:43 AM):
*meaning
*they can get the ball
JUNX says (12:44 AM):
*near the goal post uh
I says (12:46 AM):
*two ways...
*(1) u control/deal with crosses and passes well enough. U just run into space or get into positions.
I says (12:47 AM):
*(2) u need to learn to get past players.
*if u can get past one or two players, and then run on, u will be much closer to the goal, dun u think? : )
JUNX says (12:47 AM):
*yea
*but
JUNX says (12:48 AM):
*i dun have the confidence to get past players
*argh
I says (12:49 AM):
*Last time i dun have confidence to even touch a cross!
*Today I run towards it and head it home!
JUNX says (12:49 AM):
*haha
*that was nice
JUNX says (12:50 AM):
*the
*ruby
I says (12:50 AM):
*ruby?
JUNX says (12:50 AM):
*er
I says (12:50 AM):
*Roby
JUNX says (12:50 AM):
*the barcelona guy
*he can run all over the field
*never say die attitude
I says (12:51 AM):
*he's very very hardworking and determined one.
*Yes, never say die.
*Nelson's team are disciplined and all can dribble pass and shoot...
I says (12:52 AM):
*But Roby won't let them run freely de.
He easily and consistently has the highest work rate in the midfield... the lynchpin of our midfield... he's as precious as a... ruby...
u got your own football?
JUNX said (12:24 AM):
got.
I said (12:25 AM):
Can practise then : )
JUNX says (12:25 AM):
*ic
JUNX says (12:26 AM):
*i everytime shoot, is not way over then is like curve>>>
JUNX says (12:28 AM):
*the grass
*st wilfird is artifical right
I says (12:30 AM):
*Artifical yes.
I says (12:31 AM):
*Way over... hmmm... u really need some quality shooting training.
*curved shot is not a bad thing
*: )
JUNX says (12:31 AM):
*the goal post nt big enuf
*=x
I says (12:32 AM):
*If the goal post needs to be bigger, then the whole field will need to be bigger, much more distance to run, and your shot has to have much more power.
JUNX says (12:32 AM):
*ahh
*i feel that
*the
*pitch
*is just right for me
JUNX says (12:33 AM):
*street soccer is too small =x
I says (12:33 AM):
*Yup. St Wilfrid is very nice lol : ) full field... really needs disciplined training.
JUNX says (12:34 AM):
*the weather is perfect today
*hope everytime is like that
I says (12:37 AM):
*HAHAH. that won't happen.
JUNX says (12:38 AM):
*yea
*yuan xin today like no mood to play
JUNX says (12:40 AM):
*omg
*today
*u did that
*trick
*so cool
I says (12:41 AM):
*Yuan Xin still tried hard... it's just that... he didn't get enough passes.
*I thot well of Yuan xin, and even Gary, he has lot of effort and shots at goal... pity none was hard hit enough.
JUNX says (12:41 AM):
*ya
JUNX says (12:42 AM):
*i dunno why they can shot
*as in near
*i cant get it
*oo
I says (12:42 AM):
*lol... that trick... i learnt it when i was in sec 3. At first just for fun, then later i really used it to get past players... had a lot of fun with that trick.
JUNX says (12:43 AM):
*cool
I says (12:43 AM):
*u dunno why they can shoot as in near? what do u mean?
JUNX says (12:43 AM):
*meaning
*they can get the ball
JUNX says (12:44 AM):
*near the goal post uh
I says (12:46 AM):
*two ways...
*(1) u control/deal with crosses and passes well enough. U just run into space or get into positions.
I says (12:47 AM):
*(2) u need to learn to get past players.
*if u can get past one or two players, and then run on, u will be much closer to the goal, dun u think? : )
JUNX says (12:47 AM):
*yea
*but
JUNX says (12:48 AM):
*i dun have the confidence to get past players
*argh
I says (12:49 AM):
*Last time i dun have confidence to even touch a cross!
*Today I run towards it and head it home!
JUNX says (12:49 AM):
*haha
*that was nice
JUNX says (12:50 AM):
*the
*ruby
I says (12:50 AM):
*ruby?
JUNX says (12:50 AM):
*er
I says (12:50 AM):
*Roby
JUNX says (12:50 AM):
*the barcelona guy
*he can run all over the field
*never say die attitude
I says (12:51 AM):
*he's very very hardworking and determined one.
*Yes, never say die.
*Nelson's team are disciplined and all can dribble pass and shoot...
I says (12:52 AM):
*But Roby won't let them run freely de.
He easily and consistently has the highest work rate in the midfield... the lynchpin of our midfield... he's as precious as a... ruby...
French Fries
2am in the morning and I was having a 2nd pack of french fries.I walked alone in the silently dark midst of a concrete cosmopolitan undergrowth. Safe from claustrophobic people and circumstances. I should have been used to it... this seeming continuum of unbreathability. Like the voiceless plea of a dying fish: will the air pump work again, or was there never one in the first place?
It is too dark, but little rays are breaking through the clouds. Yet at times are those lightning flashes in a thick cumulonimbus, I do question... or are those beacons of passing traffic in the heavens far far awat.
I have denounced my liking of french fries, since the food poisoning affair with Mcdonald's some time back. And why am I eating it again, I let my inquiring mind drift as my broken soul floated along an empty street.
Sure, as you bite a hot french fries, and u close your mouth and u breathe out through your nose... that must be the better half-sibling of smoking, the less poisonous one. But of what concern is fatality to do with a living dead? Thank you for what little life in left in this body.
There is something about life that a packet of french fries can relate to... and that is the slight feeling of heat in my chest... that warmth... that usually come with all the rowdiness in the brightness of the eateries on occasions. Of family gatherings. Of others.
As I ghost in steps slow and shaky, like those taken usually on the top of buildings, I indulge in that french fries smoking and that little warmth from the food passing thru the oesophagus and past my chest. That heat of life glow gently and disappear quickly like a firefly in the dark.
The night is a void, and the air is cold... and where is the lamp to my feet as I ghost the streets.
Am I lost? In the shadows of the valley.
I need to write this... I need to ask these... though my answers would probably be hidden far and deep in a right brain. In fact, maybe it's that right brain that is elusive to me.
Wednesday, June 30
Deviously Deviant
The Lambretta
It was 1992, that I went from inspiration to mastery of the Rainbow, and I have been having fun ever since. No one knew what to call such a trick back then.
People felt it was awesome to see it in actual games. My best friends insist it was I who introduced the Rainbow around the country! I dunno about that, but surely it is after much of my demonstrating and executing of the move that I see some people start using it.
The only thing that I am definitely proud of is that I had no one taught me or demonstrated the move to me. I just stayed behind in school one particular evening, and kept thinking about a trick that would enable me to get the ball past a player or the keeper, and opens up the option of an off the ground volley for which I have a natural penchant.
My soccer mate laughed at my wasting of time, and after ridiculing me, left me alone for home. I ended my six hour training by midnight and went home totally tired with cramps but relieved that my desired special move was taking shape.
It is a very rarely seen trick, being even more rarely executed in an actual game. In the years before there was the internet, only those who had seen it executed it in person, marvelled at the possibility and attractiveness of it. Now with the world accessible through the internet, tricks like the rainbow kick, the Rabona, and hundreds of other skills are readily available to those who seek them.
As a note of memorandum, the Rainbow is not the same as the Rai's Flick. The Rainbow kick is also called the Lambretta trick, Arco Iris (in Spain), or the Ardiles Flick.
ehow.com describes "Although not necessarily a practical move during a game, the rainbow is a fancy way to begin juggling. It's a move sure to impress your friends."
I agree more with wikihow.com's "The Rainbow is an offensive tool that, while being very impressive, can also put the defender on your back while you keep running."
Wikipedia writes: The trick is an impressive show of skill, sometimes seen in street soccer. It is rarely used in modern professional football, as it has a relatively low success rate, but players with high confidence and skill may attempt it from time to time. Brazilian players such as Pelé and Djalminha are among those who have used this trick. The rainbow kick was performed at the 2002 FIFA World Cup when Turkey's İlhan Mansız, in what was described as a "sombrero" move of "outrageous skill", flicked the ball over both his head and the head of Brazil's world-class side-back Roberto Carlos, forcing Carlos into a foul.
Of course some people may discourage you from doing tricks in a game; usually those who are more used to the push and run type of gameplay, or those who dunno how to do one themselves! LOL. There are also those that focus on other factors like team spirit, team movement and tactical battle which in my opinion are vital to winning a match.
A final note though, if no one had told you yet... being able to pull-off a trick and out-manouvre your opponent is one of the best feeling in the world. Experienced and Guaranteed.
People felt it was awesome to see it in actual games. My best friends insist it was I who introduced the Rainbow around the country! I dunno about that, but surely it is after much of my demonstrating and executing of the move that I see some people start using it.
The only thing that I am definitely proud of is that I had no one taught me or demonstrated the move to me. I just stayed behind in school one particular evening, and kept thinking about a trick that would enable me to get the ball past a player or the keeper, and opens up the option of an off the ground volley for which I have a natural penchant.
My soccer mate laughed at my wasting of time, and after ridiculing me, left me alone for home. I ended my six hour training by midnight and went home totally tired with cramps but relieved that my desired special move was taking shape.
It is a very rarely seen trick, being even more rarely executed in an actual game. In the years before there was the internet, only those who had seen it executed it in person, marvelled at the possibility and attractiveness of it. Now with the world accessible through the internet, tricks like the rainbow kick, the Rabona, and hundreds of other skills are readily available to those who seek them.
As a note of memorandum, the Rainbow is not the same as the Rai's Flick. The Rainbow kick is also called the Lambretta trick, Arco Iris (in Spain), or the Ardiles Flick.
ehow.com describes "Although not necessarily a practical move during a game, the rainbow is a fancy way to begin juggling. It's a move sure to impress your friends."
I agree more with wikihow.com's "The Rainbow is an offensive tool that, while being very impressive, can also put the defender on your back while you keep running."
Wikipedia writes: The trick is an impressive show of skill, sometimes seen in street soccer. It is rarely used in modern professional football, as it has a relatively low success rate, but players with high confidence and skill may attempt it from time to time. Brazilian players such as Pelé and Djalminha are among those who have used this trick. The rainbow kick was performed at the 2002 FIFA World Cup when Turkey's İlhan Mansız, in what was described as a "sombrero" move of "outrageous skill", flicked the ball over both his head and the head of Brazil's world-class side-back Roberto Carlos, forcing Carlos into a foul.Of course some people may discourage you from doing tricks in a game; usually those who are more used to the push and run type of gameplay, or those who dunno how to do one themselves! LOL. There are also those that focus on other factors like team spirit, team movement and tactical battle which in my opinion are vital to winning a match.
A final note though, if no one had told you yet... being able to pull-off a trick and out-manouvre your opponent is one of the best feeling in the world. Experienced and Guaranteed.
Tuesday, June 29
Pins Perpetual
There is nothing to boast of in winning this game, because it is one which black lost only because he made mistakes. The interesting thing here is the theme of pins. The multiple pin situations posed to black, nagged him and led his game to complications and damaging tension on the queenside. After he fought well to handle and break the pins, a momentary loss of focus led to two wrong moves that gave the game.
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Monday, June 28
World Wars
Today saw two highly sensational World Cup matches in the round of 16 .
The first saw Germany overwhelming England with a 4-1 victory. ALL four German goals were superbly executed and built up. Ozil seems to be of a influential component in the German clockwork. A particular controversy happened when Germany was leading 2-1 Frank Lampard had a stunning shot hitting the woodwork, with the ball bouncing down from the crossbar before bouncing up into the hands of Neuer the German keeper, who quickly played the ball on. Slow replay showed that the goal should have been counted! I have little doubt that sore losers would harp on this point by saying things like 'the referee was kayu/stupid', 'if that goal had been counted, as it should have been, England could have played better from then on, and...' etc etc.
In fact I just had a young England fan lamenting online, before he goes to school, saying: "see england tio trash no mood liao lols. if england 2nd goal were to be given i believe they could win the game lorh". I am quite sure many fans will take up this stance... unfortunately. Someone else just changed her msn nick to "England gave me so much pain, but I still support it till my life is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Hmmm... I remember someone mentioned that stupidity is incurable... I just hope it's not contagious.
The significance of this incident is not in that the sore losers (I mean the fans or media) will use this to explain away their (perennial) poor performance; but in the history of world cup, something quite similar between the two countries happened... back in the final of 1966 when Germany lost to England 2-4. Geoff Hurst made it 3-2 in the extra time with a similar shot off the crossbar, but later video evidence proved that goal was erroneously counted as it never crossed the line. The linesman had made the wrong judgement that the ball had bounced back down from the net at the top of the goal. The difference is England won that match and tournament, and Germany won this match and will advance in this tournament.
Raymond was doing a lot of live commentry sitting beside me at Bradell Heights CC and he watched the game with an observance as sharp as a scorpion's sting. In just a little while into the first half, he declared that the Germans can exploit England's backline's weakness in handling high through passes.
In my personal opinion, Germany really does show pedigree in their playing. However, they would not win the world cup as well. That's just my prediction.
The second match was between Argentina and Mexico. In this game, which I will alway$ remember...
Tevez scored the opening goal thru a direct shot on goal by Messi, and then later shot super hard from just outside the box to make it 2-0. This is one of the strongest direct shot in the tournament thus far.
To be fair to Mexico, they had many quality chances at scoring, and the final results of 1-3 hid a lot of their lively attacking especially in the beginning of the match.
One thing I must comment though, Lionel Messi had yet to impressed me. He's nowhere near the likes of Ronaldo 9, or Roberto Baggio.
In the end, the iconic Maradona is triumphant again. A strange ah pek as he might be, his formation and tactics had been working very well. Nevertheless, in my opinion, Argentina will not win this World Cup as well.
The first saw Germany overwhelming England with a 4-1 victory. ALL four German goals were superbly executed and built up. Ozil seems to be of a influential component in the German clockwork. A particular controversy happened when Germany was leading 2-1 Frank Lampard had a stunning shot hitting the woodwork, with the ball bouncing down from the crossbar before bouncing up into the hands of Neuer the German keeper, who quickly played the ball on. Slow replay showed that the goal should have been counted! I have little doubt that sore losers would harp on this point by saying things like 'the referee was kayu/stupid', 'if that goal had been counted, as it should have been, England could have played better from then on, and...' etc etc.
In fact I just had a young England fan lamenting online, before he goes to school, saying: "see england tio trash no mood liao lols. if england 2nd goal were to be given i believe they could win the game lorh". I am quite sure many fans will take up this stance... unfortunately. Someone else just changed her msn nick to "England gave me so much pain, but I still support it till my life is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Hmmm... I remember someone mentioned that stupidity is incurable... I just hope it's not contagious.
The significance of this incident is not in that the sore losers (I mean the fans or media) will use this to explain away their (perennial) poor performance; but in the history of world cup, something quite similar between the two countries happened... back in the final of 1966 when Germany lost to England 2-4. Geoff Hurst made it 3-2 in the extra time with a similar shot off the crossbar, but later video evidence proved that goal was erroneously counted as it never crossed the line. The linesman had made the wrong judgement that the ball had bounced back down from the net at the top of the goal. The difference is England won that match and tournament, and Germany won this match and will advance in this tournament.
Raymond was doing a lot of live commentry sitting beside me at Bradell Heights CC and he watched the game with an observance as sharp as a scorpion's sting. In just a little while into the first half, he declared that the Germans can exploit England's backline's weakness in handling high through passes.
In my personal opinion, Germany really does show pedigree in their playing. However, they would not win the world cup as well. That's just my prediction.
The second match was between Argentina and Mexico. In this game, which I will alway$ remember...
Tevez scored the opening goal thru a direct shot on goal by Messi, and then later shot super hard from just outside the box to make it 2-0. This is one of the strongest direct shot in the tournament thus far.To be fair to Mexico, they had many quality chances at scoring, and the final results of 1-3 hid a lot of their lively attacking especially in the beginning of the match.
One thing I must comment though, Lionel Messi had yet to impressed me. He's nowhere near the likes of Ronaldo 9, or Roberto Baggio.
In the end, the iconic Maradona is triumphant again. A strange ah pek as he might be, his formation and tactics had been working very well. Nevertheless, in my opinion, Argentina will not win this World Cup as well.
Monday, June 14
Victorious Vengence
Today, something delightful happened, something as rare as a ten percent chance, as Vynesh puts it. I lost tempo from beating around the bush with the centre control. And soon black gains vast space and speedy developments. Like what the great Bobby Fischer said, or was it someone else, good tactics flow from good positions.
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Wednesday, June 9
Wavin' Flag
ZW is loving this song at the moment. I personally find the lyrics of the original version meaninful, the catchy melody praise worthy for its exuberant and catchy melody!
This is the Coca Cola anthem for the world's biggest sports event of the year.
When i get older, they'll call me freedom
Just like a Waving Flag.
[Chorus]
When I get older, I will be stronger,
They'll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag,
And then it goes back, and then it goes back,
And then it goes back
Born to a throne, stronger than Rome
but Violent prone, poor people zone,
But it's my home, all I have known,
Where I got grown, streets we would roam.
But out of the darkness, I came the farthest,
Among the hardest survival.
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak,
Except no defeat, surrender retreat,
So we struggling, fighting to eat and
We wondering when we'll be free,
So we patiently wait, for that fateful day,
It's not far away, so for now we say
[Chorus]
So many wars, settling scores,
Bringing us promises, leaving us poor,
I heard them say, love is the way,
Love is the answer, that's what they say,
But look how they treat us, Make us believers,
We fight their battles, then they deceive us,
Try to control us, they couldn't hold us,
Cause we just move forward like Buffalo Soldiers.
But we struggling, fighting to eat,
And we wondering, when we'll be free
So we patiently wait, for that faithful day,
It's not far away, but for now we say,
[Chorus] 2x
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And everybody will be singing it
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And you and I will be singing it
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And we all will be singing it
(Ohhh Ohh Ohh Ohh)
[Chorus] 2x
When I get older, when I get older
I will be stronger, just like a Waving Flag,
Just like a Waving Flag, just like a Waving flag
Flag, flag, Just like a Waving Flag
This is the Coca Cola anthem for the world's biggest sports event of the year.
When i get older, they'll call me freedom
Just like a Waving Flag.
[Chorus]
When I get older, I will be stronger,
They'll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag,
And then it goes back, and then it goes back,
And then it goes back
Born to a throne, stronger than Rome
but Violent prone, poor people zone,
But it's my home, all I have known,
Where I got grown, streets we would roam.
But out of the darkness, I came the farthest,
Among the hardest survival.
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak,
Except no defeat, surrender retreat,
So we struggling, fighting to eat and
We wondering when we'll be free,
So we patiently wait, for that fateful day,
It's not far away, so for now we say
[Chorus]
So many wars, settling scores,
Bringing us promises, leaving us poor,
I heard them say, love is the way,
Love is the answer, that's what they say,
But look how they treat us, Make us believers,
We fight their battles, then they deceive us,
Try to control us, they couldn't hold us,
Cause we just move forward like Buffalo Soldiers.
But we struggling, fighting to eat,
And we wondering, when we'll be free
So we patiently wait, for that faithful day,
It's not far away, but for now we say,
[Chorus] 2x
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And everybody will be singing it
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And you and I will be singing it
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And we all will be singing it
(Ohhh Ohh Ohh Ohh)
[Chorus] 2x
When I get older, when I get older
I will be stronger, just like a Waving Flag,
Just like a Waving Flag, just like a Waving flag
Flag, flag, Just like a Waving Flag
Rekindled Romance
After a jaw dropping disastrous series of losses or forfeits in the last 21 games spanning the last five months, my rating fell like a bear market! Just look at the graphical indication. I totally distanced myself from GameKnot. I just was not there. Not physically, not mentally.The good news is that my chess playing had been rekindled through the use of a mobile phone chess app. It really helps that I get to play on the go. Indeed, now I am able to keep connected to my ongoing games with friends or opponents from overseas, via this nifty platform. Alas, we are now liberated from the boundaries of distance and timing.
I can only keep up with one ongoing game on Gameknot now, and would probably not resume the previous regularrity on GameKnot anytime soon.
Here's the latest game from GameKnot with an American, with some comprehensive and interesting shifts of focals and an inevitably devastating skewer (as illustrated in Quantum Quietus) that won the mid game. Like soccer, when you win the midfield, you win the game...
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For those who found significance in the name of the match: It was influenced by a manga which I finished reading two months ago. When I named the game, I didn't know I was white (L) or playing black (Kira). Hence, in this particular game of chess, L triumphed over Kira... just like he did in the movie version.
Wednesday, May 26
Tribute Tendered
Via the NS Portal: I paid my tribute to Dr Goh Keng Swee.It's been quite a lot of coverage on this great man of the nation, and his contribution to the country, in the three weeks. I did not know him well, even though he had graced at one of my school events as a VIP more than a decade ago.
This is what I have to say in a little tribute to him:
Classical music and the Victoria Concert Hall were defining factors in my formative years. Thru the establishment of the SSO, I am indebted to him personally, even if indirectly. And as a citizen of this country of peace and prosperity, I thank Dr Goh for his contribution in shaping our nation. I Salute.
Monday, May 24
Quantum Quietus
Recently I had a game against a player online. Yes I have been in exile for a few months. Away from the board, is probably a nice way of putting it.In this particular situation, I had just exchanged my d6 bishop with Black's b8 bishop. The Black bishop took b8.
Initially it seemed imperative to move my queen away, probably to a6 where it can watch over the b7 pawn as well as taking an aim on e6 pawn.
But then an idea stuck me. Some force around the b7 area caught my attention... some kind of glow or magnetic force... is this what they call intuition... and thoughts flow naturally into the prospect of actually not moving my queen away from danger.
I probably should have seen this a few moves back, but there probably was the blindspot caused by the protective caution against threats towards the queen.
Wednesday, April 28
Knocked-up Knights
Saw this 'April's fool chess joke' post on the Chessgame.com newsletter. And I thought it's quite well... engineered.Here's a neat little joke you can play on your friends. You're guaranteed to share a good laugh.
The next time you are at a chess club or tournament, set up a chessboard to the diagram at the right. It won't be long until a passerby stops and asks you what on earth this is.
Explain, "It's a chess problem. White to play. I'm trying to figure out how White can survive all of those pawns."
Anybody with the tiniest amount of chess knowledge should conclude that White is lost. A typical response might be "You are wasting your time--obviously White is doomed! Two knights can stop a few pawns from marching down the board, but not all eight!"
That's when you say "March down the board? You misunderstand, these pawns aren't on their second rank, they are all on the seventh. They are one step away from becoming queens!" (At this point, you might rotate the board 180 degrees to emphasize your point.) Your victim will surely conclude that in that case, White's demise is all the quicker, because Black will soon have multiple queens!
That's when you show them the punchline to this little chess-joke. Offer to let them have the black pieces, while you take white. Do you see the continuation? It's White to play and mate in two moves: 1. Ne3! seals the fate of the Black king. If Black now promotes the a, b, c, or d pawn you play Nf3#, and if they promote the f, g, or h pawn you play Nd3#.
Sora No Kiseki ( 星の在り処 )
君 の 影 星 の よう に 朝 に 溶 け て 消 え て い く
你的身影如闪烁的星空 逐渐融于晨光之中
kimi no kage hoshi no you ni asa ni to ke te ki e te i ku
行 き 先 を 失 く し た ま ま 想 い は 溢 れ て く る
失去了你的身影 我的思念日益渐浓
i ki saki wo na ku shi ta ma ma omo i ha afu le te ku lu
强 さ に も 弱 さ に も こ の 心 は 向 き 合 え た
无 论坚强或是软弱 愿此刻心永远能与你交融
tsuyo sa ni mo yowa sa ni mo ko no kokoro ha mu ki a e ta
君 と な ら どん な 明日 が 来 て も 怖 く な い の に
只要有你伴随 我不畏惧明天会有怎样的天空
kimi to na la don na ashita ga ki te mo kowa ku na i no ni
二人 歩 い た 时 を 信 じ て い て 欲 し い
两人一同走过的时光 请你永远在心中珍藏
futali alu i ta toki wo shin ji te i te ho shi i
真 実 も 嘘 も な く 夜 が 明 け て 朝 が 来 る
无论真实 还是谎言 夜已破晓 黎明重现
shin jitsu mo uso mo na ku yolu ga a ke te asa ga ku lu
星 空 が 朝 に 溶 け て も 君 の 辉 き は わ か る よ
虽然星空渐渐融 在晨光中 你的光辉依然那样夺目灿烂
hoshi zola ga asa ni to ke te mo kimi no kagaya ki ha wa ka lu yo
さ よ な ら を 知 ら な い で 梦见 た の は 一人 き り
不知你为何要说再见 在梦中的是孤独的身影
sa yo na la wo shi la na i de yumemi ta no wa hitoli ki li
あ の 顷 の 君 の 目 に は 何 が 映って い た の ？
在那时候 你的眼中 映照的是什么
a no goro no kimi no me ni ha nani ga utsutte i ta no
二人 つ な い だ 时 を 谁 も 消 せ は し な い
那个时候二人的羁绊 任谁也无法抹灭
futali tsu na i ga toki wo dale mo te se ha shi na i
孤独 と か 痛 み と か どん な 君 も 感 じ た い
无论你的孤独 你的悲伤 我都想试着感受
kodoku to ka ita mi to ka don na kimi mo kan ji ta i
も う 一度 见 つ め 合 え れ ば 愿 い は きっと 叶 う
倘若二人的眼神再度交会 那愿望定会实现
mou itido mi tsu me a e le ba nega i ha kitto kana u
夜 明 け 前 ま どろ み に 风 が 颊 を 流 れ てい く
拂晓的时刻 在半梦半醒之间 风从我的脸颊吹过
yoa ke mae ma dou mi ni kaze ga hoo wo naga le tei ku
君 の 声 君 の 香 り が 全 て を包ん で 满ち てい く
你的声音 你的气味 全部充满在四围
kimi no koe kimi no ka o li ga sobe te wo tsutsun de mi chi tei ku
思 い 出 を 羽 ば た か せ 君 の 空 へ 舞 い 上 が る
放飞思念 展开翅膀 在与你同一片的天空下飞翔
omo i de wo ha ba ta ka se kimi no sola he ma i a ga lu
星 空 が 朝 に 溶 け て も 君 の 辉 き は わ か る よ
虽 然星空渐渐融在晨光中 我依然能看见你那灿烂的光芒
hoshi zola ga asa ni to ke te mo kimi no kagaya ki ha wa ka lu yo
爱 し て る た だ そ れ だ け で 二 人 は い つ か ま た 会 え る
就是如此喜欢你 愿两人终会相遇在未知的彼方
ai shi te lu ta da so le da ke de futali ha i tsu ka ma ta a e lu
From 英雄传说 VI 空之轨迹 (动听且感人的主题曲)
你的身影如闪烁的星空 逐渐融于晨光之中
kimi no kage hoshi no you ni asa ni to ke te ki e te i ku
行 き 先 を 失 く し た ま ま 想 い は 溢 れ て く る
失去了你的身影 我的思念日益渐浓
i ki saki wo na ku shi ta ma ma omo i ha afu le te ku lu
强 さ に も 弱 さ に も こ の 心 は 向 き 合 え た
无 论坚强或是软弱 愿此刻心永远能与你交融
tsuyo sa ni mo yowa sa ni mo ko no kokoro ha mu ki a e ta
君 と な ら どん な 明日 が 来 て も 怖 く な い の に
只要有你伴随 我不畏惧明天会有怎样的天空
kimi to na la don na ashita ga ki te mo kowa ku na i no ni
二人 歩 い た 时 を 信 じ て い て 欲 し い
两人一同走过的时光 请你永远在心中珍藏
futali alu i ta toki wo shin ji te i te ho shi i
真 実 も 嘘 も な く 夜 が 明 け て 朝 が 来 る
无论真实 还是谎言 夜已破晓 黎明重现
shin jitsu mo uso mo na ku yolu ga a ke te asa ga ku lu
星 空 が 朝 に 溶 け て も 君 の 辉 き は わ か る よ
虽然星空渐渐融 在晨光中 你的光辉依然那样夺目灿烂
hoshi zola ga asa ni to ke te mo kimi no kagaya ki ha wa ka lu yo
さ よ な ら を 知 ら な い で 梦见 た の は 一人 き り
不知你为何要说再见 在梦中的是孤独的身影
sa yo na la wo shi la na i de yumemi ta no wa hitoli ki li
あ の 顷 の 君 の 目 に は 何 が 映って い た の ？
在那时候 你的眼中 映照的是什么
a no goro no kimi no me ni ha nani ga utsutte i ta no
二人 つ な い だ 时 を 谁 も 消 せ は し な い
那个时候二人的羁绊 任谁也无法抹灭
futali tsu na i ga toki wo dale mo te se ha shi na i
孤独 と か 痛 み と か どん な 君 も 感 じ た い
无论你的孤独 你的悲伤 我都想试着感受
kodoku to ka ita mi to ka don na kimi mo kan ji ta i
も う 一度 见 つ め 合 え れ ば 愿 い は きっと 叶 う
倘若二人的眼神再度交会 那愿望定会实现
mou itido mi tsu me a e le ba nega i ha kitto kana u
夜 明 け 前 ま どろ み に 风 が 颊 を 流 れ てい く
拂晓的时刻 在半梦半醒之间 风从我的脸颊吹过
yoa ke mae ma dou mi ni kaze ga hoo wo naga le tei ku
君 の 声 君 の 香 り が 全 て を包ん で 满ち てい く
你的声音 你的气味 全部充满在四围
kimi no koe kimi no ka o li ga sobe te wo tsutsun de mi chi tei ku
思 い 出 を 羽 ば た か せ 君 の 空 へ 舞 い 上 が る
放飞思念 展开翅膀 在与你同一片的天空下飞翔
omo i de wo ha ba ta ka se kimi no sola he ma i a ga lu
星 空 が 朝 に 溶 け て も 君 の 辉 き は わ か る よ
虽 然星空渐渐融在晨光中 我依然能看见你那灿烂的光芒
hoshi zola ga asa ni to ke te mo kimi no kagaya ki ha wa ka lu yo
爱 し て る た だ そ れ だ け で 二 人 は い つ か ま た 会 え る
就是如此喜欢你 愿两人终会相遇在未知的彼方
ai shi te lu ta da so le da ke de futali ha i tsu ka ma ta a e lu
From 英雄传说 VI 空之轨迹 (动听且感人的主题曲)
Thursday, April 8
Elman Enthralls
I found an old recording of Elman playing Choping E flat Nocturne.
In most situations, I am too busy and volatile a presence to enjoy symphonic works like I used to. Hours of pure listening and appreciating... (not many do that really, most people listen to music while doing something else, which is good; I love to drive race & jog when listening to music) ...I ask myself where in the world did I find the time to do that? Seriously, it seems like too much to ask one to listen to a symphony mindfully, unless it is done with the visual complement of an actual orchestra in front the seated individual.
And I was entranced. For five minutes I was able to savour the Chopin in the hands of Elman. Mischa Elman, if I remember his first name correctly... a dimunitive man with deep talent and a priceless tone. It isn't a 20 or 24bit recording but his musicality and tone is instantly captivating through the dated recording quality.
Thank you, Abba, for this enjoyment.
In most situations, I am too busy and volatile a presence to enjoy symphonic works like I used to. Hours of pure listening and appreciating... (not many do that really, most people listen to music while doing something else, which is good; I love to drive race & jog when listening to music) ...I ask myself where in the world did I find the time to do that? Seriously, it seems like too much to ask one to listen to a symphony mindfully, unless it is done with the visual complement of an actual orchestra in front the seated individual.
And I was entranced. For five minutes I was able to savour the Chopin in the hands of Elman. Mischa Elman, if I remember his first name correctly... a dimunitive man with deep talent and a priceless tone. It isn't a 20 or 24bit recording but his musicality and tone is instantly captivating through the dated recording quality.
Thank you, Abba, for this enjoyment.
Friday, March 19
Crowned Carlsen
Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian Prodigy has ascended the throne.The new FIDE ranking released had confirmed that Magnus Carlsen, of Norwegian descent had ascended the throne of world number one.
He had been a sensational prodigy right from the start, but that he had achieved this before the age of twenty is remarkably astounding.
A factor which propelled him to the top of the world is his highly acclaimed performance at the Pearl Spring Tournament at Nanjing, China, which spanned september and october last year.
Apparently he had been training with Kasparov, which is quite a brow raiser.
Will update on this prodigal world champion again... we'll certainly see more of him.
Monday, March 15
Golden Glitter
Ric Edelman has an interesting assertion on the hype on gold.
The Truth about Gold
What the pundits aren’t telling you
Many are hyping gold as the must-have investment of the day — with promoters regularly saying that gold is a profitable investment that hedges against inflation while protecting against a declining dollar. Sounds great!
Too bad the hype is wrong.
The truth is that gold is a speculative investment — one whose returns are not guaranteed. Consider the last time we encountered a gold rush, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. At the time, inflation was rampant, the government had bailed out Chrysler with a $1.5 billion loan and investors were flocking to gold while the media egged them on — pushing up the price to a then-record of $850/ounce, according to the New York Mercantile Exchange. (Remind you of any behavior you’ve been seeing lately?)
At the time, gold seemed like a can’t miss investment. But like all investment fads, the run-up in gold prices didn’t last. After prices peaked in January 1980, prices then dropped for 235 months — that’s a bear market of almost 20 years! — finally bottoming out at $252.80/ounce in July 1999. It took another 7½ years for prices to reach their January 1980 high. Can you imagine waiting 27 years to recoup your initial investment?
Making the situation worse is the fact that gold pays no dividends, interest or income — unlike stocks, bonds and real estate. Stocks can split (turning one share into two shares), but gold never does. Thus, over that 20-year period, there was utterly no gain whatsoever to be had. Worse, some people had to pay fees to store the stuff.
But doesn’t gold help you keep up with inflation? Not necessarily. Consider this: From January 1, 1979, through December 31, 1984, the Consumer Price Index rose 7.6% annually — but gold prices rose only 4.1% each year. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Stock Index* rose 15.4% annually.
Okay, if gold isn’t certain to protect against inflation or provide any sort of guaranteed return, will it protect you against a weak dollar?
Again, not necessarily. Gold and the dollar are not negatively correlated - meaning, one does not rise merely because the other falls. In fact, over the past 40 years, gold moved in the opposite direction of the dollar only 20% of the time, according to Oppenheimer & Co. That’s hardly a sure bet. For instance, from December 31, 1987, through September 1, 1992, the dollar declined 8.3%, according to Bloomberg. If you had bought gold as protection, you’d have been hurt, not helped: Over that same period, gold prices declined 29%!
This is not to say that gold doesn’t have a place in your portfolio — it’s just that the metal should comprise only a small part of it, along with other natural resources. Consider the S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index, which tracks oil and gas and consumable fuels (64.9% of the index); energy equipment and services companies (15.6%); paper and forest (1.5%); containers and packaging (2.7%); and metals and mining (14.3%).
That last category tracks gold as a commodity and, just as importantly, it tracks companies that mine gold. (If you’re infatuated with the idea of buying gold at $1,100/ounce, you’d love investing in a company that digs gold out of the earth at just $300/ounce!) Of course, such metal and mining operations don’t just excavate gold: They also extract silver, platinum, nickel, copper and iron ore — meaning they diversify their operations to hedge against fluctuating commodities prices, just like you should be doing.
And, believe it or not, as of October 31, 2009, the NANRS Index was outperforming gold for the year — up 28.1% versus 18.5% for the SPDR Gold ETF.
The message here is not to load up on natural resources, for that would be just as speculative as loading up on gold itself. Rather, the better approach for protecting against inflation and a falling dollar is to invest in a broadly diversified portfolio.
So don’t hop on the gold bandwagon hoping for a lustrous portfolio. As Shakespeare said, “All that glisters is not gold.” And sometimes that includes gold.
The Truth about Gold
What the pundits aren’t telling you
Many are hyping gold as the must-have investment of the day — with promoters regularly saying that gold is a profitable investment that hedges against inflation while protecting against a declining dollar. Sounds great!
Too bad the hype is wrong.The truth is that gold is a speculative investment — one whose returns are not guaranteed. Consider the last time we encountered a gold rush, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. At the time, inflation was rampant, the government had bailed out Chrysler with a $1.5 billion loan and investors were flocking to gold while the media egged them on — pushing up the price to a then-record of $850/ounce, according to the New York Mercantile Exchange. (Remind you of any behavior you’ve been seeing lately?)
At the time, gold seemed like a can’t miss investment. But like all investment fads, the run-up in gold prices didn’t last. After prices peaked in January 1980, prices then dropped for 235 months — that’s a bear market of almost 20 years! — finally bottoming out at $252.80/ounce in July 1999. It took another 7½ years for prices to reach their January 1980 high. Can you imagine waiting 27 years to recoup your initial investment?
Making the situation worse is the fact that gold pays no dividends, interest or income — unlike stocks, bonds and real estate. Stocks can split (turning one share into two shares), but gold never does. Thus, over that 20-year period, there was utterly no gain whatsoever to be had. Worse, some people had to pay fees to store the stuff.
But doesn’t gold help you keep up with inflation? Not necessarily. Consider this: From January 1, 1979, through December 31, 1984, the Consumer Price Index rose 7.6% annually — but gold prices rose only 4.1% each year. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Stock Index* rose 15.4% annually.
Okay, if gold isn’t certain to protect against inflation or provide any sort of guaranteed return, will it protect you against a weak dollar?
Again, not necessarily. Gold and the dollar are not negatively correlated - meaning, one does not rise merely because the other falls. In fact, over the past 40 years, gold moved in the opposite direction of the dollar only 20% of the time, according to Oppenheimer & Co. That’s hardly a sure bet. For instance, from December 31, 1987, through September 1, 1992, the dollar declined 8.3%, according to Bloomberg. If you had bought gold as protection, you’d have been hurt, not helped: Over that same period, gold prices declined 29%!This is not to say that gold doesn’t have a place in your portfolio — it’s just that the metal should comprise only a small part of it, along with other natural resources. Consider the S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index, which tracks oil and gas and consumable fuels (64.9% of the index); energy equipment and services companies (15.6%); paper and forest (1.5%); containers and packaging (2.7%); and metals and mining (14.3%).
That last category tracks gold as a commodity and, just as importantly, it tracks companies that mine gold. (If you’re infatuated with the idea of buying gold at $1,100/ounce, you’d love investing in a company that digs gold out of the earth at just $300/ounce!) Of course, such metal and mining operations don’t just excavate gold: They also extract silver, platinum, nickel, copper and iron ore — meaning they diversify their operations to hedge against fluctuating commodities prices, just like you should be doing.
And, believe it or not, as of October 31, 2009, the NANRS Index was outperforming gold for the year — up 28.1% versus 18.5% for the SPDR Gold ETF.
The message here is not to load up on natural resources, for that would be just as speculative as loading up on gold itself. Rather, the better approach for protecting against inflation and a falling dollar is to invest in a broadly diversified portfolio.
So don’t hop on the gold bandwagon hoping for a lustrous portfolio. As Shakespeare said, “All that glisters is not gold.” And sometimes that includes gold.
Thursday, February 18
H for Harmonics
Was reading through some thread of discussion on an Imperial Bosendorfer on which has 97 keys instead of the usual 88. I was thinking of the higher registers but in fact the additions were on the lower ends.
Someone was saying he wishes more are built this way. And another question his need for the extra octave. Like what difference do a extra few notes, especially those at the end of the spectrum, make?
A simple reply was because it would be awesome and that it could mimic thunder.
And then another person asserted:
No, that's not the reason at all.
Those extra strings resonate with any other strings being played particularly those in the lower octaves giving a deeper and richer tone. When those keys are actually played as part of a piece they give much deeper resonance. When played alone as in this example, they simply sound a little weird and somewhat pointless. The presence of these strings is as much if not more about the sympathetic resonance they offer, than it is about them actually being played.
Not only is the reply impressive for a reflection of the writer's knowledge of harmonics, but the last line is really food for thought, especially in application to the things and people around us in our lives.
Someone was saying he wishes more are built this way. And another question his need for the extra octave. Like what difference do a extra few notes, especially those at the end of the spectrum, make?
A simple reply was because it would be awesome and that it could mimic thunder.
And then another person asserted:
No, that's not the reason at all.
Those extra strings resonate with any other strings being played particularly those in the lower octaves giving a deeper and richer tone. When those keys are actually played as part of a piece they give much deeper resonance. When played alone as in this example, they simply sound a little weird and somewhat pointless. The presence of these strings is as much if not more about the sympathetic resonance they offer, than it is about them actually being played.
Not only is the reply impressive for a reflection of the writer's knowledge of harmonics, but the last line is really food for thought, especially in application to the things and people around us in our lives.
Monday, February 8
Good Friday
Good friday... it was a good friday last week. No, not about the perfect work of God's beloved Son. Not something that wonderful, but still very good, personally! It was about how I received a free ticket through Jim, and a good day out that followed.Also met Leonard, Mark Q, Mark F, as well as Kian Hong, and Bala! Throughout the day you can say I Yan Fu Bu Qian, some girls I never knew were trying to look for me in the crowd, and they even knew my name... one of them was a policewoman and another was a lady selling noodles at Terminal Three. All I'd say here is that I really did not mean for such attention... It was quite an eventful day, both Jim and YK must agree!
Yes, YK looks really Leng in those sunglasses. And of course Jim is avoiding the camera because he still owes us 7 bottles.
His Handiwork
A very accurate Chinese translation of a splendid hymn by Ralph Carmichael in the 50s.
救主是我一切
群星閃耀述說主奇工 微風吹動見證主尊榮
陸地海洋在祂掌管中 於我有何義?
救主降生要慶祝歌頌 因這事已記載歷史中
祂來世界使人得自由 對我有何義?
*直到憑信見主面對面 領會救主奇妙大恩典
我才深知真神愛無邊 祂時刻關懷我
並非遠住在高天
每日與我同行肩並肩 常常看顧我免遭危險
助我走窄路勇往直前 救主是我一切
救主是我一切
群星閃耀述說主奇工 微風吹動見證主尊榮
陸地海洋在祂掌管中 於我有何義?
救主降生要慶祝歌頌 因這事已記載歷史中
祂來世界使人得自由 對我有何義?
*直到憑信見主面對面 領會救主奇妙大恩典
我才深知真神愛無邊 祂時刻關懷我
並非遠住在高天
每日與我同行肩並肩 常常看顧我免遭危險
助我走窄路勇往直前 救主是我一切
Monday, February 1
Inspiring Imitation
A sibling of mine was just clearing out old rubbish in the room, and suddenly handed over to me a stack of yellowed foolscape paper I recognised as a few of my composition written at CHS.
The unexpected confession that came along was that studying my compositions had dramatically improved my sibling's performance in English during high school, from an average level to topping the whole cohort! That is either dramatic, or dramatised. Either way, I am truly flattered.
And this just suddenly reminded me of a funny experience I had about two years ago, when I met YL a high school classmate, now a successful investment banker: it was a prata shop at Upper Thomson, and a brief chancing upon each other gave us a few minutes to catch up.
It was then that he actually revealed to me how he had secretly used my compositions to prepare for his O levels English. I was stunned by that revelation, coming from a guy I always admired for his out of the box attitude and incredible intelligence.
It was like a joke to me, for me to have been a source of contribution, preparation or even inspiration to someone like him. It is both a strange and familiar feeling to be inspiring another person. Yet I never thought much about what I wrote. This is like a posthumorous honour, except I'm still very much alive... thank God! Would you not feel flattered by people who kept references or copies of your writings, in preparation to excel for their exams? I wonder what my English teacher would think of this.
Often being surrounded by talented and prodigious cohorts, I did not think that my composition was ever extraordinary or worth mentioning. I also did not care about handing my work in, until I felt it was ready! Haha... hence, many a time, I submitted my essay late by a few days (my headshaking monitor always had to give me his condescending trademark headshaking) and my teacher always had to penalise me by discounting my essay score.
My best friend always felt glad that, after the penalty, my essays still scored reasonably ok (and accordingly, often still beating my monitor...) But with all honesty, the score did not matter to me; neither did the approval (or disapproval) of my monitor concern me.
I just did not write for scores or nods.
If you must judge... yes, I was a very problematic student.
The unexpected confession that came along was that studying my compositions had dramatically improved my sibling's performance in English during high school, from an average level to topping the whole cohort! That is either dramatic, or dramatised. Either way, I am truly flattered.
And this just suddenly reminded me of a funny experience I had about two years ago, when I met YL a high school classmate, now a successful investment banker: it was a prata shop at Upper Thomson, and a brief chancing upon each other gave us a few minutes to catch up.
It was then that he actually revealed to me how he had secretly used my compositions to prepare for his O levels English. I was stunned by that revelation, coming from a guy I always admired for his out of the box attitude and incredible intelligence.
It was like a joke to me, for me to have been a source of contribution, preparation or even inspiration to someone like him. It is both a strange and familiar feeling to be inspiring another person. Yet I never thought much about what I wrote. This is like a posthumorous honour, except I'm still very much alive... thank God! Would you not feel flattered by people who kept references or copies of your writings, in preparation to excel for their exams? I wonder what my English teacher would think of this.
Often being surrounded by talented and prodigious cohorts, I did not think that my composition was ever extraordinary or worth mentioning. I also did not care about handing my work in, until I felt it was ready! Haha... hence, many a time, I submitted my essay late by a few days (my headshaking monitor always had to give me his condescending trademark headshaking) and my teacher always had to penalise me by discounting my essay score.
My best friend always felt glad that, after the penalty, my essays still scored reasonably ok (and accordingly, often still beating my monitor...) But with all honesty, the score did not matter to me; neither did the approval (or disapproval) of my monitor concern me.
I just did not write for scores or nods.
If you must judge... yes, I was a very problematic student.
Sunday, January 31
Constellation Connie
With a triple tail fin and a dophin shaped fuselage, the Constellation Connie is one of the most distinctive Lockheed design in the last century.The civilian airliner had a military air transport variant known as the C-69, as well as an airborne early warning variant known as the EC-121 Warning Star.
A note of interest is that the Constellation initially proved prone to engine failures (due to her Wright R3350s engines), and thus earned the nickname "World's Finest Trimotor" in some circles.
Also, this was dramatized in the motion picture The Aviator (2004) during the scene where Howard Hughes (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) surveys numerous grounded TWA Constellations.
More updates on the Connie to come, as I learn more...!
Thursday, January 28
Chinese Charm
The theme song of a major Chinese movie, sang by Faye Wong, recommended by HP, indulges me in the immensity of the language as well as the origins of someone very close to me. Enjoy the following excerpt.
《幽兰操》 歌词及解析
兰之猗猗，扬扬其香。
众香拱之，幽幽其芳。
不采而佩，于兰何伤?
以日以年，我行四方。
文王梦熊，渭水泱泱。
采而佩之，奕奕清芳。
雪霜茂茂，蕾蕾于冬，
君子之守，子孙之昌。
【序释】
兰，在中国文化中，是“入我门中，能谏我心之草”是先祖留给后人的无字天书。
孔子酷爱兰花，有“兰为王者香”之语。此言含义一是兰香为香中之王，一株好的兰花开放的时候，整个山谷闻不到别的花香，这是兰香香芬丰富的生物学特性。二是，兰只为王者而香。兰隐于幽深的山谷中，不开花时，与群草无异，只有王者，才能认识兰所蕴含的思想价值，从而去深山中寻访。
兰独特的生物学特性还有“春化”，就是兰要经历一个长期的低温期(0℃-10℃)才能顺利开花，保证花品和香品。野生的兰花，秋天孕育花蕾，经历整个冬天的休眠，第二年春天才开花，春分前后花期结束。
【总释】
本词分为上中下三阙。
上阙，中心是兰香是王者之香。
译文：兰花的叶子，长长的，在风中摇曳，优雅而飘逸;兰香，在风中升腾，向四方飘扬。兰香所及之处，所有花香都黯淡无味，并成为兰香的一部分，众多的花香拱卫着兰香，兰花的芬芳，远而不淡，近而不浓，幽幽的从中心向八方输布。兰是香中之王，如果没有人认识到而不去采摘佩戴他，对兰花而言，又有什么妨害呢。
中阙，中心是兰只为王者而香。
译文：一天接一天，一年接一年，东南西北，四方都走遍，我虽然像香兰一样，不以无人而不芳，不过我也在积极地寻找实现自身社会价值的机会。周文王夜梦飞熊入帐，渭水之畔访遇太公望(姜子牙，因周文王有“兴周之业，先祖早寄希望于太公也”之说，故名太公望)，从而奠定周朝800年基业，这是多么让人向往的啊。兰一旦被王者采摘佩戴，定会让其清雅的芬芳和其间蕴含的思想如日月般光耀。
下阕，中心是兰历苦寒而成其香。
译文：雪霜铺天盖地，树冠上厚厚的一层，虽是冬天，但看起来万物都像更加茂盛了一样。严寒中，兰的花蕾，静静的孕育和等待，在忍耐中积累。兰之所以有王者之香，是因为在寒冬中孕育了花蕾，如果人们能明白这是君子应该遵守的道理和法则，那么， 那么后世子孙必定昌盛。
《幽兰操》 歌词及解析
兰之猗猗，扬扬其香。
众香拱之，幽幽其芳。
不采而佩，于兰何伤?
以日以年，我行四方。
文王梦熊，渭水泱泱。
采而佩之，奕奕清芳。
雪霜茂茂，蕾蕾于冬，
君子之守，子孙之昌。
【序释】
兰，在中国文化中，是“入我门中，能谏我心之草”是先祖留给后人的无字天书。
孔子酷爱兰花，有“兰为王者香”之语。此言含义一是兰香为香中之王，一株好的兰花开放的时候，整个山谷闻不到别的花香，这是兰香香芬丰富的生物学特性。二是，兰只为王者而香。兰隐于幽深的山谷中，不开花时，与群草无异，只有王者，才能认识兰所蕴含的思想价值，从而去深山中寻访。
兰独特的生物学特性还有“春化”，就是兰要经历一个长期的低温期(0℃-10℃)才能顺利开花，保证花品和香品。野生的兰花，秋天孕育花蕾，经历整个冬天的休眠，第二年春天才开花，春分前后花期结束。
【总释】
本词分为上中下三阙。
上阙，中心是兰香是王者之香。
译文：兰花的叶子，长长的，在风中摇曳，优雅而飘逸;兰香，在风中升腾，向四方飘扬。兰香所及之处，所有花香都黯淡无味，并成为兰香的一部分，众多的花香拱卫着兰香，兰花的芬芳，远而不淡，近而不浓，幽幽的从中心向八方输布。兰是香中之王，如果没有人认识到而不去采摘佩戴他，对兰花而言，又有什么妨害呢。
中阙，中心是兰只为王者而香。
译文：一天接一天，一年接一年，东南西北，四方都走遍，我虽然像香兰一样，不以无人而不芳，不过我也在积极地寻找实现自身社会价值的机会。周文王夜梦飞熊入帐，渭水之畔访遇太公望(姜子牙，因周文王有“兴周之业，先祖早寄希望于太公也”之说，故名太公望)，从而奠定周朝800年基业，这是多么让人向往的啊。兰一旦被王者采摘佩戴，定会让其清雅的芬芳和其间蕴含的思想如日月般光耀。
下阕，中心是兰历苦寒而成其香。
译文：雪霜铺天盖地，树冠上厚厚的一层，虽是冬天，但看起来万物都像更加茂盛了一样。严寒中，兰的花蕾，静静的孕育和等待，在忍耐中积累。兰之所以有王者之香，是因为在寒冬中孕育了花蕾，如果人们能明白这是君子应该遵守的道理和法则，那么， 那么后世子孙必定昌盛。
Sunday, January 10
More Time
I never cried. But I just cried a lot. Suddenly. I tried to stop it from happening, I tried to stop looking, stop feeling... I begged "Dun do this to me." and the next moment I broke down into a mess of tears. I almost couldn't breathe from the crying. What a fucking mess. God, there are many things I am prideful of, there are many things I have, and there are many more things I seek. Alas, truth is, there is only one thing I truly wanted and want all my life. The one thing.
Wednesday, January 6
Gentlemen Gathering
Came back from a really good dinner, to the credits of master Chef Podsiadlo, and one with really good wine. No mickey mouse. No vinegar. Oh man.
Pawel baked some oysters with mashed garlic in chilli sauce, and made very delicious salmon for everyone. And we had very good Wolf Blass to go with it. Matteo enjoyed it very much, having just returned from the place of origin of Wolf Blass; and he had apparently gone through some wine tutorial over there.
On reflection, it was a splendid gathering of some pretty extraordinary gentlemen. We had amongst us a really smart engineer who's doing really well, and then another professor who had made a recent notable research publication, and a smart looking training doctor. A pity, Keith was not around today, he was a very authentic and eloquent character, with that good old manly charisma. And Yucha was away down south.
Over dinner, we talked a little about some good women for Simonic, over an intoxicating 2006 Carbernet Sauvignon. This is the first time I really enjoyed a red wine so much so that, I felt we should have a poet amongst us, so he could find the right words to describe. Yes I'm recalling that scene of Dr Arroway saying they should have sent a poet for the mission, in the movie Contact.
My thought was that the scent of the Carbernet Sauvignon was matured and exciting, and it was smooth on the palettes. Really gentle and flavourful red. The best part was the lingering scent in the mouth after u have drank a sip, a playful flavour which continues to intrigue for a while.
And I just found the authoritative winemaker's introduction to this particular wine. It says: Deep Red in colour, and the nose shows rich berry fruit, aromas of eucalypt and mint, with hints of warm spices. The palate is soft, rich and elegant with subtle vanillin oak, well-integrated tannins and a lingering finish.
On a side note, Pawel cheersed to a tenth anniversary (roughly) since the night Victor and I bottomed up two bottles of port to go with the memorable chilli Mussels. It had been a trying and yet amazing decade for me.
On a good note, I look forward to seeing Simon and Pawel again by the end of next fall.
Pawel baked some oysters with mashed garlic in chilli sauce, and made very delicious salmon for everyone. And we had very good Wolf Blass to go with it. Matteo enjoyed it very much, having just returned from the place of origin of Wolf Blass; and he had apparently gone through some wine tutorial over there.
On reflection, it was a splendid gathering of some pretty extraordinary gentlemen. We had amongst us a really smart engineer who's doing really well, and then another professor who had made a recent notable research publication, and a smart looking training doctor. A pity, Keith was not around today, he was a very authentic and eloquent character, with that good old manly charisma. And Yucha was away down south.
Over dinner, we talked a little about some good women for Simonic, over an intoxicating 2006 Carbernet Sauvignon. This is the first time I really enjoyed a red wine so much so that, I felt we should have a poet amongst us, so he could find the right words to describe. Yes I'm recalling that scene of Dr Arroway saying they should have sent a poet for the mission, in the movie Contact.
My thought was that the scent of the Carbernet Sauvignon was matured and exciting, and it was smooth on the palettes. Really gentle and flavourful red. The best part was the lingering scent in the mouth after u have drank a sip, a playful flavour which continues to intrigue for a while.And I just found the authoritative winemaker's introduction to this particular wine. It says: Deep Red in colour, and the nose shows rich berry fruit, aromas of eucalypt and mint, with hints of warm spices. The palate is soft, rich and elegant with subtle vanillin oak, well-integrated tannins and a lingering finish.
On a side note, Pawel cheersed to a tenth anniversary (roughly) since the night Victor and I bottomed up two bottles of port to go with the memorable chilli Mussels. It had been a trying and yet amazing decade for me.
On a good note, I look forward to seeing Simon and Pawel again by the end of next fall.
Greyscale Glamourous
A beautiful black and white wallpaper to share. Taken by a good looking and very talented photographer. I have posted this entry last month but I accidentally deleted the post. And I dun remember what I wrote to describe or praise it, nevertheless I would still like to share this wallpaper. So, here it is.
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