Struggles and Protests

Struggles and protests forge a nation's soul, awake people from that daily stupor, and free people from mundane constrains, to what really matters.

picture from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4186514944329&set=a.1335610193492.2043701.1328208024&type=1&theater

A Nation's Architecture

A nation's soul presents itself in the visible and tangible form of architecture. A nation preserves its historical buildings because these buildings host its people's common memory, or history. A country that does not preserves its old buildings, is condemned to suffer from loss of memory, forgetting where they come from and which direction they should go.

picture from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151306901358618&set=a.378937658617.159895.747873617&type=1&theater

A Young Damsel

You see. This paradigm of a young damsel, letting go of every piece of her, looking for an near-impossible romance, and reflecting many, if not all, young ladies' heart, shows itself in arts and everywhere you look.


picture from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=504451576266137&set=a.222748787769752.62811.155236521187646&type=1&theater

Mothers, Beware

One particular strong drive behind a person's deed comes from stories. Stories chanted, stories remembered, and stories told all build an everlasting image or paradigm that people follow subconsciously.

What stories mothers tell decide what their children may follow or avoid. A story that all mothers tell to their children is a story that reflects common themes, fears or desires within a particular people.

A country without traditional stories, or paradigms, is a country subjected to the influences of other cultures. A country which could build their own fables and children's stories is a country that has its own soul.

Political emblems and all that ubiquitous propaganda vanish as soon as their masters are out of power simply because they're not true and faithful to the nation's heart and soul.

That soul, though intangible, has the power to revive a country after 2000 years of wondering. That soul, though seemingly vulnerable, makes a world of brave samurais and devoted mothers. That very soul dictates a nation's direction, and ultimately, its destiny.

Then, are there any children's stories that you still remember? Or, do you recall only what Disney Channel has been broadcasting? Mothers, beware of the stories you tell, for they may very well make up your children's character and destiny.

Sony ICF B03 and Philips (AE1120) 開箱文

商品的比較 Sony ICF B03 and Philips (AE1120)

----請看兩者設計上的用心程度: 電池蓋設計--一個是雙層防水半固定式；另一個是非固定式單層蓋,容易脫落,且電池糟內電池裝入後容易翹起。

Please note the difference between the battery covers. One is securely attached and the other comes off easily.

想問的是---PChome 是國內的大型購物網站,為何拿不到質精料美,價錢佳的貨品? Sony 這台,功能佳,設計貼心,附件多,(到手價格2120,內含抽佣500,快遞120; 附件有攜行繩/攜行袋/手機插座轉接器和連接線,甚至還附上一個黃色的求救口哨); 反觀 Philips的機子,單單價格就要2450!!! 圖中的攜行繩也不是它附贈的..........真心希望國內的購物公司,能真的替廣大的消費者多著想,多爭取好的產品和價格。

Household chore

國文古文選沒一篇文章有提，世界各地歷史文獻上也沒記載，洗碗，特別是冬天用手洗碗，真是.......TMD 千古萬難呀。

It is such a torture to do dishes "by hand" in this cold winter season.

政戰系統

政戰系統: 君子持之,護國之公器; 小人弄之, 逞個人私心之兇器。

記得有一回，打師對抗時，在山腳下挖陣地，抬頭聽到連長開玩笑的問輔導長,＂打仗時，輔仔，你手上的槍是對著誰?＂

手持干戈的軍人除了有保家衛國的使命/不斷的訓練和莒光日教育之外,其實身旁都有古稱"監軍",當今稱為"細胞"的政戰士官兵......

這些細胞，明的和大家是好朋友....可是私下真正的心態，完全是上級對下級的"管理和掌控" ..平時和你稱兄道弟，一臉笑容可掬地...可是背地裏，你可能袛是他的監視報告對象之一，袛是個業務項目。而你說的每一句怨言和家裏剛買的東西，都是他向上報告的內容。

報告內容往那兒去? 每個服役的士官兵，都有一個忠誠資料袋；這文件資料夾內,除了你自個兒寫的身家資料，其它一張張，都是別人針對你每一段時間，每一件重大事件的"觀察報告"。在職業軍人的昇遷調職中，"忠誠度"和"思想內容"都會被列入考核。可是，考核你的人是你看不到的，考核項目和分數，你也沒有申訴的管道。

另一種報告的結果，倒很明顯：晚點名就寢後，若晚上突然有急哨有口令，要人人下床，床前立正站好，接著連上某些幹部進來瘋狂的翻床翻內務櫃的搜東西，那是接到了報告，要找違禁品。這時，輔導長和政戰士，就會在這混亂中盯著找著他們的目標物。

輔導長和政戰士，是明的編制....細胞－或是政治作戰士兵，是暗的； 因為這回報內容裏,若有"實質收獲" 或是"配合得當",都會有獎勵 -- 榮譽假/獎金/記功等等...另有些"福利"，你我可能聽都沒聽過(退伍後的"無名"海外高額獎學金/有固定薪給的某某基金會"志工"--工作內容無外乎回報特定對象的情資等等).....重賞之下..這些細胞都很願意配合。

考核眾人的,卻沒有人可以制衡...獎金拿慣了,若沒獎金時? ......結果? 對岸就找到一個可以弄到真正機密文件資料,又是管保防的下手....當然也是用錢來買他的忠誠....

......也難怪,當初有名將挑明了說,不希望他部隊有這種事情這個編制....

.......誰言一朝天子一朝臣；呼誓漢賊不兩立?　
       君不見那顏色迭更替，六朝賢臣永帝寶。
       可憐馬革裹屍臣，誰見戰場丹心碧血情！

Gold and Youth

Both gold and youth are splendid and dazzling.
Yet, you can not buy youth with gold.


(For arts' sake, i took this artistic picture without its owner's consent. Mr. Ryan, please forgive my rudeness, for I couldn't find a better picture to match this statement.)— 與 Ryan Angkor 

＂無用物＂

記得國小時，曾有一回，某個富有又慈祥的鄰居順手給了我一個蠻精美的"無用物"。我歡天喜地的把它放在家中某個顯眼之處，就像是要向全天下人炫耀自己是一個多麼富有的小孩一樣。後來就跑出門找街坊玩伴玩耍去了，一整個下午的無憂無慮。返家後，發現那個美麗的＂無用物＂由原位消失了。原來是媽媽將它丟了，因為是舊的，是沒有用的，因為是華麗的，和家裏擺設格格不入的。就袛是一個打掃過程的必然結果。

而小孩如我，很不甘心的哭呀鬧的；好像一陣哭鬧後，結果會不一樣似的。

長大後，這些年，這旅途中也曾偶然看到精美動人的＂無用物＂；它們也不知如何的，就忽然出現，也忽然消失在生命中；＂無用物＂消失的那麼乾脆，那麼的無影無踪，那麼的無可挽回。但那被勾動的心弦，波動不止，時時刻刻提醒你，折磨著你－看呀！那些如果若能維持著，是件多麼美好的事情呀；你看，你錯失了什麼！假如你......

現在，知曉某些道理之後，看過不少別人的態度後，對這些偶而出現的＂無用物＂倒還蠻看的開的。心情調適的也快，一轉身就忘了，像個八九十歲的老頭兒，心無波瀾的繼續那日常的生活，那日常的動作。如此這般的平心靜氣，如此認命的活著。這算是一種成長還是認命的放手呢？

－－－－－－－－－－－－
照片中是一包裝精美的洋菇培養包，要給女兒當表現良好，故事朗讀比賽拿到佳作的獎勵的；另外一包培養包，順便回禮給常常拿二手童衣給我的同事，因為這些料好質美的小孩衣服，替我們家省了一筆開銷。謝謝。

快樂歌咏

神呀,就讓大樹倒下吧,
讓樹苗們,忘了自己的種族,認不出自己的國界,
就用笑容為國旗,使夢想成為憲法,以熱血為基準,向天空奔馳。

倒下吧,大樹
在大地上放下你的身軀,讓陽光灑入,讓樹苗成長
讓樹苗成長,倒下吧
讓春夏秋冬,讓太陽月亮輕撫你身軀,再讓大地為你鋪上暖被
讓樹苗忘了你的名,忘了你的仇,忘了你的愛。

你我的名字,你我的仇恨,你我的愛怨,擋住陽光
孩子們也學著你我的名字你我的仇恨,互相憎恨
這森林的孩子們,看不見陽光和希望,失去笑容和夢想。

就讓一切重頭
讓小樹們,忘了自己的父母,認不出自己的國界,以世界為家
用笑容為國旗,使夢想成為憲法,以熱血當基準,為未來努力。
不再有國界和他們,讓小樹們同唱一首歌,同聲歌頌太陽/風和雨的滋潤呀。

大樹你別難過，
這片青空會為你歌唱為你哭泣，
我也會和你一起躺下，為你啍唱那首睡眠曲。
輕輕的，我們一起入睡吧。
我們的名字,你我的仇恨,你我的愛,都忘了吧。

輕輕的，我們一起入睡吧。那一切，都忘了吧。

讓樹苗忘了你的名,忘了你的仇,忘了你的愛。
也許,當我們再次起身迎向陽光時,不再相互仇視,
不再分你我那一國,不再有心頭傷痛,可以相視而笑,
可以像小樹一樣,一同攜手,放聲快樂歌咏,這片如此美麗的青空與大地的恩竉。

一群小魚

A neighbor gave us some guppies and they quickly gave birth to a school of small guppies. Lisa and Joy, love these million fish.

鄰居給我們一批孔雀魚,放到魚缸中,很快就生下一群小魚。小朋友開心的很,特別是小的Lisa,因為是她接回家的魚魚。

Education, Brainwashing and Confirmation in Individuals

The bugle is sounding, the crowd is roaring and it is only fitting to follow the drummer in this marching. Your body and soul seem work in unison with the whole crowd and you are being brainwashed. There are moments in life when one chooses what to believe in his/her whole life. Be it a radical political gathering, a traumatic experience to survive a disaster or a war, or a moment when one chooses to confront a pistol regardless of one's life. Moments like these confirm one's internal values and make us who we are throughout our life.

The issue is whether this decision is based on one's free will, or just an inevitable 'next step' in a 'calculated,' staged setting. Nazi youth rallies are often used as examples in setting up a stage to unite and consolidate its believers. These rallies created monsters who would commit horrendous crimes against humanity.

Some of the staunchest Nazi officers would go as far as murdering babies and children to achieve what they believed to be divine and holy.

There is nothing divine and holy in killing babies and children. And they did it. Simply because they believed it was 'correct.'

What has it got to do with you? You may ask. Advertisement and political propaganda all ask the same result with different degrees of persuasion techniques and brain-washing tactics employed in these Nazi Youth Rallies. Whereas, an liberal education, when it is notorious for its lax structure and failing to instill specific aims, requires one's thinking and regurgitating of what has been presented. Only through constant thinking and examining what is in front of one's eyes can one gain the true freedom of making a responsible choice. Knowing this would free one from the invisible shackles imposed by others, help one see the value of independent thinking and most importantly, aid one's confirmation of what is right and wrong.  Such is education.

衷心祝願

今日一景, 我衷心祝願, 孩子笑容時時在, 戰爭永不來。

And this I pray, that children may sing with a joyful heart, and war should never come.

躲貓貓

This morning started well, and my kids and i even had a chance to do the dishes together. Next, the remote control that she held in hand moments ago went missing. So, I told her we needed to find it or we couldn't really find the TV cartoon channel. During this roughly 30 minute hide-and-seek game, I gave her a lecture on the importance of keeping things in their usual place. When we finally l

ocated that remote control in a corner, that facial expression on her face told me that she may have really learned the reason behind that house rule.

太座出差勤,早上帶孩子,從準備早餐/吃飯/一起洗碗,一切順利; 袛是,我們家大姐不知怎麼回事,找不到她剛才拿在手上的電視遙控器 0..0 心想就順便機會教育一下(平時要求物有定位,也好省下找東西的時間),要她一定要找出來(不然她也沒法兒看她愛的卡通)也沒刻意幫她找,這30來分的時間內,督促她找東西,也拿著掃把,將客廳打掃一回....後來,在客廳角落裏的玩具收納裏找到....這回,由她臉上的表情來看,她應不會再亂扔東西了。

錢包遙控器和鑰匙,是否也常和你玩躲貓貓?

台灣長尾水青蛾

晚上出門交水電費,7-11門外遇上美麗的台灣長尾水青蛾。它的體形真是優美，令人驚艷。許多人都拿出高性能相機拍照，手上袛有簡單的手機，袛能留下這張照片。

Tonight had a wonderful chance to see a beautiful moth. She is a beautiful one, and her shape and colors are truly heavenly made.　It is a pity I didn't have any high-performance camera with me. Took this picture with a five-year-old camera phone.
http://www.nkps.tp.edu.tw/00075/nature/insects/moth-longtail.htm

台灣長

記於十月十日

"她的日常生活/她的喜怒哀樂/她內外的美好特質,會引起你的注意,一點都不令人意外。可是...乖女兒呀......他們也不盡然全是那麼優秀的;在某些層面上,其實他們就和我們一樣,也有缺陷的。....她的父親,和其它千萬個父親,在國家至上的威權教育下,成為國家機器的一部份,攻擊侵略鄰近國家,也因如此死在戰場上。"

在那個沒有個人,袛有國家的年代,持反對意見者被冠以叛國罪名,或被卑劣處決或強制軟禁而失去自由;那些其它的人,失去個人選擇和意志,被塗上一致的顏色,被要求整齊一致揮動一面旗子....

他們是好人嗎? 不是...是壞人嗎? 也不盡然...孩子，你看，紅花坂上,每一天,昇起的是一個女兒期望父親回家的心聲，並不是那面國旗。那是個如此沈重的抗議呀!

我和你母親對你的期許，希望你能平安長大，發揮才能，追求你的夢想，也讓整個社會能由你的努力,互利互惠而成就更好的未來。切記！切記！國家二字不能超越人民意志。更不能讓披著愛國主義狼皮的獨裁者來左右你的生命,操控你的選擇!!!

『人總是活在矛盾之中～對人類的絕望以及信賴～ 我們都是在這狹縫間生存～ 』

記於十月十日

機會就是給有準備好的人啦

打了一手好牌

＂A, 你聽說了嗎？＂

＂什麼事？＂

＂Ｌ這回又要帶人去參加小兵中區初賽；而且這回聽說上頭拿了不少采頭出來。＂

＂Ｍ桑不是上個月在忙這回事？聽說徵人時，小朋友聽到週六日都要來訓練／沒有經費的前提下，個個都打退堂鼓了嗎？那來的參賽呀？＂

＂廢話，假如通知你比賽，而準備時間僅有一個半月；除非你有長遠的準備--超過三年的經驗/去年的班底，不然就算給你出隊，不是帶人去含淚鼓掌歡送其它有專班訓練的學校嗎。而且她　把發球權一直都捏在手上，今天［出賽權］當下丟給你是她說＂這次輪到你＂；連著那些年不丟給你，也是她說＂要增加有出賽勝利的把握！＂

"哇! 這這這好像三國演義某一章節喔!!!"

"你看，機會就是給有準備好的人啦。這回你知道人家怎樣向上頭要資源／又可以踩別人的方法了哦。"

價錢真嚇人

下班後到菜巿場買菜,沒想到那價錢真嚇人;和平時相較,達七倍的價格令人瞪目結舌,不敢置信。 A silk gourd is a delicious, inexpensive and popular dish on the dinner table. Now the typhoon is coming, its price has risen to 75$NT, 7 folds of its original price. This is .... daylight robbery.

Like

深怕嚇跑顧客,賣牛肉的拼命說我們的不是美國牛。那個按讚的機器,可能很快就會出現在許多許多地方。不曉得有無可能全公司職員桌上和學生桌上都裝一個。

Beef-burger sellers emphasize the fact that they don't sell American beef. "It's 100% Australian!" That 'like' button has materialized itself in the real world. Guess it will make its presence more noticeable around you and me. Do you 'like' it on your office desk?

今年夏天，最令人膽顫心驚的謎底

今年夏天，最令人膽顫心驚的謎底，要揭曉了!

                                        Let's see how much your electricity bill is!