Lotus and Cedar

羊毛衫樂隊: 【早醒早覺】歌詞 / The Cardigans: "Rise & Shine" with lyrics

2012-01-25T23:59:00.005-05:00

"Rise and Shine"Singers: The CardigansSongwriters: Magnus Johan Sveningsson, Peter Anders SvenssonLyrics:Rise & shineRise & shineI want to be alone for a whileI want earth to breath to meI want the waves to grow loudI want the sun to bleed downTo bleed downSee the waves go downSee the moon aloneI raise my head and whisperRise and shineRise and shineRise and shine my sisterRise and shineRise and

農曆新年: 2012年1月23日年初ー

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

昨晩在渥太華河畔滑雪,映了兔年黃昏最後的ー幅相。今日是龍年年初一,在此祝各位新年快樂 !!!!

維基百科2012年1月l8日停刋, 抗議美國「停止網上盜版」草案（SOPA） / English Wikipedia anti-SOPA blackout on June 18, 2012

2012-01-18T00:01:00.002-05:00

維基百科宣佈世界各地的英語維基，在1月18日（星期三）05:00 UTC開始，停刋24小時。這個行動是抗議美國政府的兩份立法草議案: 在美國國會眾議院的停止網上盜版法案（SOPA），和美國參議院的知識產權保護法案（PIPA）。維基媒體基金會相信如果這兩項法案獲得通過，互聯網的自由和開放體系將受嚴重損害。（請閱讀維基媒體基金會以下的聲明）To: English Wikipedia Readers and CommunityFrom: Sue Gardner, Wikimedia Foundation Executive DirectorDate: January 16, 2012Today, the Wikipedia community announced its decision to black out the English-language Wikipedia for 24

A Winter Story: Frankenstein's Music

2012-01-16T23:59:00.001-05:00

This page is from Igor,Frankly quite a groaner!Soundly with music so haunting,You should've seen it coming!- Haricot -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A Winter Story: Frankenstein's Music (as told by Igor)Bob Hill and his wife Betty are winter-vacationing in Europe.... as it happens, near Transylvania. It's getting late and snowing hard. They are driving along a rather deserted highway and Bob can barely

美国前国务卿基辛格专访 / Interview with Henry Kissinger

2012-01-13T23:59:00.000-05:00

(Disclaimer: The posting of the following information on this blog does not imply in any shape or form my endorsement of the positions/opinions of the original authours and their affiliated organizations. I also cannot guaranty the accuracy or completeness of the posted info.)【文匯網訊】2012年1月13日央視《環球視線》播出《專訪美國前國務卿基辛格》，以下是節目實錄：主持人勞春燕：說起基辛格和中國的淵源，可以用這麼一串數字來概括，他在40年前掀開了「冷戰」的帷幕，和尼克松總統一起重啟了中美外交，並且在此後的40

Robin Redbreast

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Robin Redbreast In the deep of a northern winter A cold but beautiful sunset To fan the flame of a dying campfire Where can I find Robin Redbreast Photo Credit: Wikipedia / American Robin "… The American Robin has a place in Native American mythology. The story of how the robin got its red breast by fanning the dying flames of a campfire to save a Native American man and a boy …. The

Downhill Skiing at Camp Fortune (IMG00544)

2012-01-09T09:50:00.000-05:00

Because of the warm temperature and a lack of precipitation, the Camp Fortune downhill ski centre had a late start this season. There was a complete absence of snow a week before Xmas. Fortunately, some of the white stuff magically appeared before Dec 24 and we narrowly escaped a brown Xmas. Much to the delight of the ski hill operators, the sky opened up again last Thursday night and poured more

Ottawa's Winter Blue ... encore (IMG00539)

2012-01-03T15:50:00.000-05:00

Afternoon coffee-break, this time a "double-double" at Tim Horton, to counter the bitter cold. The day has not warmed up; it's still -18 deg C outside !!! Maybe I won't go out running tonight >_<

Ottawa's Winter Blue (IMG00538)

2012-01-03T15:07:00.000-05:00

I woke up to a bitterly cold winter morning with blue sky, bright sunshine, and a temperature at -19 deg C (-28 deg with wind chill) !!! A warm cup of Chai Latte at Bridgehead helped save the day !!!

歡送2011年,迎接 2012年 / Au Revoir 2011 et Bonne Année 2012 !!!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year (sung by ABBA)No more champagneAnd the fireworks are throughHere we are, me and youFeeling lost and feeling blueIt's the end of the partyAnd the morning seems so greySo unlike yesterdayNow's the time for us to say...Happy new yearHappy new yearMay we all have a vision now and thenOf a world where every neighbour is a friendHappy new yearHappy new yearMay we all have our hopes, our

2012 新年前夕 - 睡醒吧田園 / New Year's Eve - Wakefield, Quebec

2011-12-31T23:59:00.002-05:00

懷憶 Wakefield 小埠冬月映雪靜悄悄去年經濟嘆蕭條今晚除夕田園睡明朝醒後建 Wakefield攝影图片: Wakefield 是離渥太華不遠,在魁北克省那边的一個小埠。多年前我和K常帶T 和 S來這裏遊玩。現在他們長大了,女朋友也有了,但我对Wakefield 這個小埠,仍是有很深刻的懷念和回憶。

2011年12月31日决心赛跑: 為青年会籌欵 / 2011 Resolution Run: Fund Raising for the Y (YMCA/YWCA)

2011-12-31T18:45:00.004-05:00

I was hoping to do the 5 km in 25 minutes but just couldn't fire up my booster rocket. Maybe I shouldn't have eaten so much at noon. But then it was not often that I had a chance to treat S and K at the Pot au Feu restaurant (which used to be the old Wakefield railway station).Anyway, my resolution is to improve my speed by running at least 3 times a week, do at least 16 km on the weekend, and

微豆2011年大事回顧 Haricot's Review of 2011 Events: 奧薩瑪·本·拉登被擊斃 The Death of Osama bin Laden

2011-12-28T00:01:00.002-05:00

Years gone by, Arm Stretching ...., Feeling Numb! 自由, 神, 像手 ..... 麻木！ But then, it happens ..... The arm strikes back !!!The Death of Osama bin Laden ".... In April 2011, President Obama ordered a covert operation to kill or capture bin Laden. On May 1, 2011, the White House announced that U.S. Navy SEALs had carried it out, killing him in his Abbottabad, Pakistan

微豆2011年大事回顧 Haricot's Review of 2011 Events: Iraq War's Endgame; US Troops Home for Xmas!!

2011-12-27T00:01:00.002-05:00

Wikipedia / Withdrawal of US Troops from IraqAugust 2010 partial withdrawal On 19 August 2010, the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division was the last US combat brigade to withdraw from Iraq. About 50,000 US troops will remain in the country in an advisory capacity. According to the US, they will help to train Iraqi forces in a new mission dubbed by the US as "Operation New Dawn,"

Canadian Blood Services (IMG00531)

2011-12-26T11:57:00.001-05:00

Greetings from CBS (www.Blood.ca or 1-888-2-donate) !!Well, I don't actually work here but am waiting for S to finish his donation. Blood is often in short-supply during the holiday seasons and the recent call from CBS sounds urgent. Giving is a way of paying forward.

2011 Xmas Day - My Contribution to the Canadian Economy (IMG00528)

2011-12-25T11:29:00.000-05:00

Snow's fallingMy heart's poundingWhere is my morning coffeeMy poor brain's falteringStarbucks' beckingBarista's smilingA venti Chai LatteSee my mind revivingWe so love serenadingOccupy this & that for nothingBut nothing doesn't come without a priceTo commercialization we're addictingWhile I am here rantingI forget to find money for payingHere sir take my credit cardAnd keep our economy

《繼承大丈夫》The Descendants: 堪嘆古今情不盡，可憐風月債難償

2011-12-18T23:59:00.000-05:00

佐治•古尼（George Timothy Clooney，1961年5月6日）是一位頗受女性覌众欢迎的第一流荷理活明星,他領銜主演的賣座電影包括:《盜海豪情》Ocean's Eleven, 《盜海豪情十二瞞徒》Ocean's Twelve, 《盜海豪情十三王牌》Ocean's Thirteen, 《寡佬飛行日記》Up in the Air,《密探睥死羊》MenWho Stare at Goats,《完美狙擊》The American 等。在《繼承大丈夫》The Descendants 故事中,佐治•古尼演活了一個事業心重男人中年喪偶的惡夢,但妻子臨終不就是代表他和她感情的完結,反之,那只是一個開始;妻子的新欢舊愛秘密無意中被翻了出來,大丈夫的過往丶現在丶將來都突然和想像中的現實脱節!! 他应該怎么辦呢? 以下是節錄自香港電影指南 http://wmoov.com/

【Bésame Mucho此吻之後】: In Memory of Cesária Évora

2011-12-17T23:59:00.001-05:00

【Bésame Mucho此吻之後】中文歌詞 (微豆意譯)Bésame, Bésame mucho,吻我，不要停止吻我 / Embrasse-moi, embrasse-moi beaucoup,Como si fuera esta noche la ùltima vez,彷彿今晚是最後一次 / Comme si cette nuit était la dernière fois,Bésame, Bésame mucho,吻我，不要停止吻我 / Embrasse-moi, embrasse-moi beaucoup,Que tengo miedo perderte,哪,我真害怕失去你 / Car j'ai peur de te perdre,Que perderte otra vez.我再次失去你 / De te perdre une nouvelle fois.Bésame,

阿岡昆建設卓越中心 / Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence

2011-12-17T00:52:00.000-05:00

".... Algonquin College. Exam week can be stressful on students. Inspired by the Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus, the Television Broadcasting students at Algonquin College wanted to showcase the new Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence 阿岡昆建設卓越中心 by lightening the mood with the help of the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir and Darth Vader. .... Please note: Lord Vader is

"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"

2011-12-16T00:59:00.004-05:00

"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" Poem written in 1864 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) Sung by Karen Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the

加納 / Ghana

2011-12-14T20:07:00.006-05:00

With the relatively strong Canadian dollars and discounts on travelling packages, K and I have been looking at vacation deals that would otherwise exceed our budget. But the supply-demand equation may also work against our favour. Such is the case with our planned Ghana trip when the travel organization informed us that there were not enough participants to make the trip viable. Obviously, we are

月老說的故事 / One Lost Red String

2011-12-13T21:38:00.000-05:00

心懷鴻鵠志難捨魚水情魚雁隔千里落葉捲殘雲月老斷紅繩失足墮浮塵Wikipedia: 月老; 紅線

加拿大皇家女騎警 ∕ Royal Canadian Mounted Police Women

2011-12-10T21:27:00.008-05:00

" ..… Please be grateful for the positive positions you were in but don't minimize what some other women have experienced. Life can change on a dime …. " a comment posted on CBC's Fifth Estate "Behind the Line" I don't always blindly accept reports from investigative journalism. Too often, the main goal of the producer or editor in charge is to daze viewers with sensationalism as opposed to

空有鴻鵠志，卻在鵪鶉窩 / The Future of the Chinese Public Service: Let them spread their wings!!

2011-12-08T02:27:00.004-05:00

Here is an interesting article from an official Chinese government magazine on the hiring of public service employees. The authour suggests that many applicants seeking government positions do so for personal gains. They hope to land golden rice-bowl jobs 金飯碗 and obtain their life-long tickets to money, benefits, housing, power, and other goodies. Hiring these fools 蠢才will turn the public service

"Enoncé de Valeurs - Des clés pour mon intégration à Gatineau", Ville de Gatineau, Québec

2011-12-07T00:01:00.002-05:00

在十一月廿九日，渥太華河對岸的加蒂諾市City of Gatineau政府官員,公佈了一份叫做“價值聲明”的文件,表面似乎是用來幫助定居魁北克的新移民融入主流社會，但批評者說，“價值聲明”真正目的是讓社会当权派迫使新來定居人士放棄自己的身份和信仰。在以法裔文化為主的魁北克省,“Reasonable Accommodation合理容納遷就”是一個非常敏感丶被受激烈爭論的問題，前幾年的保衛法語丶魁省獨立等鬥爭言論又可能会因“價值聲明”這文件而復甦了。入國問禁,入境問俗,我個人認為移民是有責任溶入主流社會,更不可將醜惡的陋俗和暴力的種子帶入加拿大。但是,楓叶國是多元文化社会, 佔大多數的主流居民應該怎樣告訴移民,哪些行為是可以接受?而哪些是不可以接受?而加蒂諾市政府官員公佈的“價值聲明”文件,又是基於什麼法律權力?基於什麼標準呢？”以下附貼: (1) 新聞報導; (2)

滿地可(蒙特婁理工學院)大屠殺 / École Polytechnique Massacre: Marc Lépine murdered 14 women on Dec 6, 1989

2011-12-06T20:14:00.010-05:00

It was 22 years ago when a self-proclaimed anti-feminists man called Marc Lépine gunned down 14 innocent women. injured another 13, and then killed himself at l'École Polytechnique in Montreal. Every year, families of the victims, survivors of the tragedy, and many Canadians across the country hold memorial services to remember not just the 14 student engineers who perished, but also other women

Christmas Decoration at Simply Biscotti on Preston St. Ottawa

2011-12-04T23:15:00.011-05:00

K and I went for our Sunday brunch at Simply Biscotti on Preston Street earlier today. I looked at the decoration and suddenly realized I have not yet started my Christmas shopping !! As much as I am rebellious, I am not a hermit living off the grid. I feel obliged to conform to the tradition of giving gifts. So, here is a question to the OWS crowd: Having invented Occupy Black Friday, will

往事只能回味 / Memories

2011-11-29T00:01:00.001-05:00

blue 柏brown 樹black 常light green 青red 生orange 命dull green 留purple 痕~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~那首歌是不是尤雅唱的【往事只能回味】?唉,聽了又想起当年香港的舊情人!!往事只能回味,最多只是甜和酸。但回港睹物思人,豈不会打翻了五味架??!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~曲 : 劉家昌 / 詞 : 林煌坤時光一逝永不回，往事只能回味，憶童年時竹馬青梅，倆小無猜日夜相隨。春風又吹紅了花蕊，你已經也添了新歲，你就要變心像時光難倒回，我只有在夢裡相依偎。時光一逝永不回，往事只能回味，憶童年時竹馬青梅，倆小無猜日夜相隨。春風又吹紅了花蕊，你已經也添了新歲，你就要變心像時光難倒回，我只有在夢裡相依偎。春風又吹紅了花蕊，你已經也添了新歲，你就要變心像時光難倒回，我只有在夢裡相依偎。Related link: Mind

打破道德冷漠, 要扶起陌生老人 / Fight Against Moral Apathy, Help Elders in Distress !!

2011-11-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

我在2011年10月24日登貼了一篇網文:【發生了意外,市民見死不救夠, (一)是恐怕惹禍上身? (二)是懷疑碰瓷? (三)還是人性的冷漠與麻木? 】,其中包括加拿大世界郵報Globe and Mail的評論。之後,為了再進一歩平衡中丶西媒界的報導,我上網找尋了中國「官方」对這類事情丶或事件的反应,在此轉貼與讀者共研共享。The following article is from the 2011-10-25 issue of the magazine of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China (《中国人大》杂志) that has been posted on the official NPC website (全国人大常委会办公厅官方网站). In the article, 廖盛芳

Power Balance's Brand of Hologram Bracelet - Performance Technology? Mens agitat molem? Not !!!

2011-11-27T17:10:00.003-05:00

Power Balance filed for bankruptcy in November 2011According to Wikipedia: "….. Power Balance is a brand of hologram bracelet once claimed by its manufacturers and vendors to "use holographic technology" to "resonate with and respond to the natural energy field of the body", and increase sporting ability. Numerous independent studies of the device found it to be completely ineffective at

Canada's National Symbol: The Beaver (IMG00513)

2011-11-24T11:44:00.001-05:00

When I was growing up in Hong Kong, a primary school music teacher taught me this song:Land of the silver birchHome of the beaversWhere still the might mooseWonders at willBlue lakes and rocky shoreI'll return once moreBonne d-dee i-deeBonne d-dee i-deeBonne !!At the time, I had never seen neither a beaver nor a moose and had no clue where this land was.Many years later, when I was working as a

The Osgoode Pathway: Route Map + Trail Head

2011-11-23T22:10:00.003-05:00

I am posting here two photos in prep for the BYRS running team's 26 km trip on Nov 27, 2011. Top photo: Route Map of the Osggode Pathway - from 6178 Mitch Owens Road, Greely to Osgoode Main Street 13 km away.(Please visit: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com?r=5198637)Bottom photo: Google Earth snap shot of trail head next to Adams & Kennedy (Wood Source) at 6178 Mitch Owens Rd, Greely, looking south

Winter 2011/2012: First Snowfall

2011-11-23T10:21:00.000-05:00

Winter greets Ottawa this morning with a snowfall that has turned the city white overnight. Snow flakes are falling from the sky, covering people, cars, streets, and buildings with starry crystals. The sudden and magical change in scenery marks the arrival of winter at our door steps and reminds us once again that we are living in a northern country. Here in Ottawa's China town, pedestrians

Hitting The Wall: From Ironman to High School Competitors - The Spirit of Julie Moss

2011-11-22T23:59:00.002-05:00

Recently, I was trying to explain to beginning runners what "hitting the wall" means. Here are some examples:1. Paula Newby Frazier, a world-class triathlete champion, hit the wall during the 1995 Ironman Hawaii. For a while, she seemed disoriented and at one point lied down onto the ground. However, she refused to give up and eventually continued on !!!2. At a 5K cross-country race, a high

Gatineau Park Trail Running (Marathon Distance) - Chelsea P8 to/from Luskville Fire Tower, Quebec

2011-11-19T12:55:00.013-05:00

UPDATED 2011-22-23:On Nov 15, 2011, I did a 44 km hike/run in the Gatineau Park in Quebec. Here is a description of the route: From Chelsea parking lot P8, up Gatineau Parkway for abt 1.5 km, right onto Trail #1 (Ridge Road), pass Keogan cabin, cross Fortune Parkway, continue on Trail #1, pass Shilly Shally Shack, pass Huron cabin, turn right at Champlain Lookout intersection, continue on Trail

Christmas 2011 (IMG00501)

2011-11-17T11:46:00.000-05:00

Christmas is still a good month-and-a-half away and merchants are already gearing up their advertising campaign. With the western economies in survival mode, consumers would likely hold on tight to their wallets.I took this photo inside a mall earlier today. There weren't that many shoppers at the time, but hopefully things will pick up as the Christmas season gets closer.An early snowfall to

Responses to Your Outstanding Comments

2011-11-14T01:14:00.000-05:00

Finally, I have responded to all your comments posted as of now. Thank you for your patience, much appreciated !!!!

Running the Camino de Santiago "The Way": Jenny Biondi Anderson 815.6 km, 9 days 5 hrs 29 min (Part 2 of 2)

2011-11-13T07:47:00.023-05:00

***** Please also review: Camino de Santiago / The Way of St. James (Part 1 of 2) *****Different ppl do the Camino de Santiago for different reasons. Runner Jenny Biondi Anderson did it to beat the clock, but realized in the end, it was more than just a world record. In the movie "The Way", the father did it for his son and then he found out more abt himself and others. In 2010, 272,703 ppl did

Camino de Santiago / The Way of St. James (Part 1 of 2)

2011-11-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

***** UPDATED 2011-11-13 ***** (Please also review Part 2: Running the Camino de Santiago "The Way": Jenny Biondi Anderson 815.6 km, 9 days 5 hrs 29 min)According to Wikipedia:".... The Way of St. James or St. James' Way (Spanish: El Camino de Santiago) is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of

Xmas Chocolate at Simply Biscotti (IMG00496)

2011-11-12T13:07:00.000-05:00

Ho Ho Ho,Xmas is near !!!Stories be told,In joy or tears !!!

2011-11-11 11:11 和平紀念日 / Remembrance Day

2011-11-11T11:11:00.003-05:00

根據【維基百科】『國殤日』:"..... 和平紀念日（英文：Remembrance Day）訂立於每年的11月11日，為一個紀念在第一次世界大戰、第二次世界大戰和其他戰爭中犧牲的軍人與平民的紀念節日。第一個國殤日於1919年在整個英聯邦舉行，原稱「停戰日」(英文：Armistice Day)，於1919年11月7日由英王喬治五世創立，紀念第一次世界大戰於1918年11月11日上午11時結束。不同的地方對節日有着不同的稱呼：和平紀念日流行於澳洲，加拿大與英國；虞美人花日（英文：Poppy Day）通用於馬爾他和南非；退伍軍人日（英文：Veterans Day）為美國人的稱呼；日本人稱之為國民哀悼日（日文：國民哀悼の日）；在法國、紐西蘭以及其他英聯邦國家則稱之為停戰日（英文：Armistice Day），這也是節日本來的名稱，為國際通用。

Work-Life Balance

2011-11-03T19:00:00.001-04:00

Recently, I haven't got the time to answer blog comments and post new articles. This sudden time-crunch is a reality-check for ppl like myself who belong to the so-called sandwich-generation. I want to do things for my Mom, myself, my family, my community, ..... Alas, there are only 24 hours in a day!!!Since my Mom's mishap last December, she has not been doing too well. Her cognitive capacity is

School Bullying: Jamie Hubley's Short Life (IMG00482)

2011-10-26T15:33:00.000-04:00

Jamie Hubley, the openly gay grade-10 student of a local secondary school took his own life on Oct 15, after having been bullied, taunted and harassed by other teens. After his suicide was made public, there has been a sharp increase of ppl seeking assistance from Pink Triangle Services, which is a local service agency for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, two-spirit and queer (GLBTTQ)

發生了意外,市民見死不救夠, (一)是恐怕惹禍上身? (二)是懷疑碰瓷? (三)還是人性的冷漠與麻木?

2011-10-24T23:59:00.012-04:00

(其一) 發生了意外,市民見死不救夠,是恐怕惹禍上身?【高校民调：老人摔倒该不该扶】《新京报》（記者杜丁）（責任編輯：史雅喬）2011年10月19日08:35昨日（18日），首都經貿大學等三所高校聯合發佈“社會信任問題的大陸消費者民意調查”，從政治、經濟和社會三個層面來體察民眾對中國社會的信任度。就目前熱議的“老人摔倒該不該扶”問題，高達87.4%的民眾認為不能扶老人的原因是怕惹禍上身。以下图片: 中國社會信任危機凸顯不扶老人只因怕惹禍上身三高校發佈“社會信任問題的大陸消費者民意調查”；民意調查顯示社會信任危機凸顯。據首經貿統計學院負責人介紹，隨著社會經濟的發展，一系列社會問題隨之湧現。為了分析這一現象，中國人民大學中國調查與數據中心、首都經濟貿易大學統計學院和中央財經大學統計學院，聯合發起了關於社會信任問題的大陸消費者民意調查。調查結果顯示，三個層面的信任危機已經凸顯，

Halloween 2011

2011-10-20T18:58:00.000-04:00

Altho Halloween is still more than a week away, many malls are already gearing up for the yearly scary morbid-for-fun festival. I took these photos inside a local shopping mall where they have this ghoulish display of skeletons, graves, coffins, zombies and other bump-in-the-night creatures. My grandmother would have hissed "Choi ! Choi !! Choi !!!" If she were with me today. As it turns out

Canada's $35B Navy & Coast Guard Fleets Contract: Procurement Results Announced

2011-10-19T20:15:00.000-04:00

Francois Guimont, Deputy Minister of Public Works & Govt Services Canada (PWGSC) just announced the two winners are: Combat Contract: Irving Davies Shipyard in Halifax. Non-combat contract: Seaspan Shipyard in Vancouver. The third competitor led by Lavalin for the shipyard based in Levis, Quebec was the unsuccessful bidder. According to the fed govt, this multi-billion dollar procurement has

Life & Regrets

2011-10-19T10:44:00.000-04:00

My friend forwarded me an email that contains the following words of wisdom: "When you were born, you were crying; And everyone around you was smiling. .... When you die, you're the one who is smiling; And everyone around you is crying." Originally, I was thinking "A Life with NO Regrets", oh, how nice. But, then I realize somewhere btwn a person's FIRST and LAST CHAPTER, there gotta be some

100 years old Runner Bhai Fauja Singh Ji to Set World Marathon Record

2011-10-13T23:59:00.000-04:00

Photo Above: Bhai Fauja Singh Ji was born on April 1, 1911 in India. He started running at the age of 81 after immigrating to London, UK from India. He will attempt to complete the full 42.2 km distance at the Toronto Waterfront Running Events this Sunday to become the oldest marathoner on this planet !!!Here are some records of Fauja Singh's running career:Rediscovered running at age of

初秋的田園景色 / Early Fall Scenery in the Countryside

2011-10-11T23:59:00.003-04:00

夏去秋來冬未至十月如春紅葉遲北雁南飛先告別明年再会感恩節Photo Credit:* I took these photos on Oct 9, 2011 at the Fall Colours Race Events in Cumberland, Ontario.

2011年10月10日加拿大感恩節 / Thanksgiving in Canada Oct 10, 2011

2011-10-10T23:59:00.003-04:00

今天星期一是加拿大的感恩節,我大清早起來,幫K下厨做火鳮歺,和家人丶親戚丶朋友慶祝節日。今年這隻新鮮火鳮是我一星期前在買慣買熟的 butcher shop 処預訂,星期日取貨,光身淨重約9公斤。首先K將火鳮肚子塞滿了有調味配料的麵包(stuffing: country white bread with thyme, rosemary, sage, savory,...),然後放入焗爐裏,需約450度華氏及3個多鐘頭,而我則把12個薯仔和一個 butternut squash 去皮切粒,再切4個青Granny Smith 蘋果,拌入配料,在火鳮出爐前下煱丶蒸熟丶和上碟。我們跟隨這边傳統風俗,男主人把火鳮從焗爐拿出來,趁熱起肉切片,女主人立刻把味料和 starch 拌入火鳮汁,倒入平鍋煑滾做 turkey sauce,跟著大家入坐,開香檳酒或 sparkling grape juice

2011 Ottawa Fall Colours Running Events (IMG00474)

2011-10-09T13:13:00.002-04:00

I have been participating in Somersault's Fall Colours Running Races for quite a few years now. I always enjoy their small-size events. The countryside setting is very enjoyable and the organizers are extremely friendly. This year, I may even have a free massage after the race !!Photo credit: I took a photo of this participant crossing the finish line with a man and a dog. As you can see, we have

Ottawa's Havana Cafe (IMG00473)

2011-10-08T23:08:00.000-04:00

Earlier today K and I went to a bakery on Bank Street, Ottawa South to pick up some pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving. By chance, we saw this little Cuban cafe next door and decided to stop for lunch. It is not a big restaurant but the food was really tasty and inexpensive too. I ordered a pork sandwich that came with fried plantaine and salad, all for less than $10. One could tell the chef was from

史蒂夫喬布斯对設計一門的看法 / Quote from Steve Jobs on the Meaning of Design

2011-10-06T22:21:00.012-04:00

在大多數人的詞彙,設計一門像單板一樣,是沒有深度的小兒科,不外乎室內裝潢,窗簾戓沙發面料選擇等皮毛功夫。但我認為,這種看法是非常膚淺。設計是人類基本的創作力,像靈魂一樣,透過一件物品的本質和功能, 有層有次地向外發展表現, 是有諸內丶而形於外。(微豆意釋)“In most people’s vocabularies, design means veneer. It’s interior decorating. It’s the fabric of the curtains, of the sofa.But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design.Design is the fundamental soul of a human-made creation that ends up expressing

蘋果公司史提芬·喬布斯因病去世享年56歲 / Steve Jobs of Apple Inc. Succumbed to Illness at Age 56

2011-10-05T22:02:00.017-04:00

人生有涯這個恍悟助我闡明生命快擇照亮終結前的路程在死神的探射燈下塵世的欲傲懼窘恥都消失在焦點以外終站已近時日無多再沒籍口畏首畏尾要赤裸裸面对現實赤子之心孤注一擲史提芬•保羅•喬布斯 (1955-2011) / 微豆意譯"Remembering that I'll be dead soonis the most important tool I've ever encounteredto help me make the big choices in life.""Because almost everything --all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure-- these things just fall away in the face of death,leaving

良辰日落美景 / Sunrise Sunset

2011-10-02T23:59:00.005-04:00

初秋的室外氣溫是徘徊在攝氏四丶五度左右但我還是依依不捨懷念着過去的夏天心中總放不下那良辰日落的美景或許.....人之所以能夠繼續生存就是能夠珍惜那短暫丶美好的時光或許.....有人認為忘記痛苦是自我麻醉,逃避現實這.....倒不能解釋痛楚分娩的女人卻還是要再次懐孕離了婚的男人卻還是要拈花惹草或許.....人去了之後在冰天雪地之中那良辰日落美景還是永遠停留在那一剎那間。Photo Credit:I took these photos at a friend's cottage on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River on June 18, 2011++++(Updated 20111010)++++網友來鴻,貼堂佳作:(其一) 新鮮人:影照紅霞落秋波半冷微涼九月初把酒碰杯好咏歌尤勝對月抱青梳(其二) 嗜悲兄:

痴肥與飢荒 / Obesity & Famine

2011-09-30T23:58:00.000-04:00

I enjoy all kinds of summer and winter sports, such as running in the summer and skiing in the winter.No doubt the clean air, nutritious food and regular exercise all have contributed to my physical and mental well-being.But transplanting to a developed country like Canada is no guarantee for improving one's health.In fact, some of my Chinese friends who habitually over-eat and lead a sedentary

山野半馬拉松賽跑: 『蜀中無大將,廖化作先鋒!!』/ Half-Marathon Race in the Woods: The Last Shall be the First!!

2011-09-28T23:59:00.000-04:00

After a gruelling half-marathon run in the woods last weekend, I now weigh just 3 kg more than the scrawny kid who came to Canada many years ago.When I was living in Hong Kong, I did not always eat different types of nutritious food, mainly because I was spending my lunch money on stamps (I could have been as tall as Yao Ming LOL) and partly because of our family income (my father's career was

2011「加拿大陸軍半馬拉松賽」/ 2001 Canada Army Run Half-marathon Race

2011-09-22T00:01:00.007-04:00

On Sept 18, 2011, I finished my 3rd Canada Army Run half-marathon race with a Personal Best (PB) that beats my May 30, 2004 ING Marathon record (at the 21.1 km mark) by 33 seconds !!! Altho the difference is not that much in absolute terms, an age gap of 7+ years is significant over a runner's life span. For example: The qualifying time for the Boston Marathon "eases up" as a runner enters into

Marathon Training - Week #15

2011-09-21T23:59:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday Sept 21, 2011, our marathon running team was on schedule with Week #15 of the training program.We went to a 400-metre outdoor track and did the following interval training:* 3K of warm-up run (abt 7 times around the track, non-stop, marathon pace or less)* 30 m short bursts (10K pace, 3 times, with a walk in btwn)* 15 min of loosening-up exercise (skipping, grapevine, running

Google Plus

2011-09-21T16:12:00.000-04:00

Come One Come All !!! What's your name? I mean your REAL NAME!!! Nice to meet you Little Red Riding Hood ^_^ Why the personal data? To serve you better with !!! Haha Just kidding ^_^ Because Google and its affiliated market sponsors, your govt agents, your employers present and future, your parents, friends, and foes, all want to know who you REALLY are!!! Of course, nobody is FORCING you

您相信天堂存在嗎? / "Do You Believe in Heaven?" by Tradjaig

2011-09-20T23:59:00.009-04:00

I don't believe there is physically a heaven.But I am sure it exists in many people's minds.

九一八事變 / The Mukden Incident

2011-09-18T22:04:00.039-04:00

懐九一八事變日本侵華九一八瀋陽先失戰事發東北三省皆淪陷安內攘外軍心沈溥儀黃帝號康德傀儡登堂又入室当年老將淚滿襟今日遊子作詩吟攝影图片: 日軍以中國軍隊炸毀日本修築的南滿鐵路為借口，佔領瀋陽。攝影图片: 日本軍隊聚集瀋陽，1931年9月18日攝影图片: 九一八事變中瀋陽街頭的日軍攝影图片: 九一八事變中的日軍攻打東北邊防軍司令部攝影图片: 佔領日軍对市民的「佈告」攝影图片: 1930年，黃顯聲任遼寧省警務處長兼瀋陽公安局長，為了民族利益，對日本帝國主義在我國東北不斷擴張陰謀盡力予以抵制，對“滿鐵”軍警依仗日方特權滋事欺人，進行針鋒相對的鬥爭。1931年“九一八”事變爆發，瀋陽南市、三經路等公安分局均按他的命令奮起抵抗，這是當時瀋陽唯一未執行“不抵抗”命令的武裝隊伍。所以在繳械後，被屠戮者甚眾。攝影图片: 日軍將中國軍警繳械攝影图片: 被捕的中國軍警攝影图片:

Ottawa City Hall (IMG00436)

2011-09-17T13:40:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, I will be here checking in for the Army Run half-marathon!!!Sent from BlackBerry

外交部長的國會秘書鮑勃德克特与中國新華社多倫多分社女記者施蓉: 前途未卜 / Mr. Bob Dechert & Ms. Rong Shi: Se rendre à une affaire

2011-09-15T23:59:00.006-04:00

其一:你是一個美麗的人兒,妳站在水邊鼓著臉頰的照片,實在是令我難忘,我願整天看著妳那可愛的神態,我是非常想念着你。....妳一定要收看我在加拿大眾院投票的电視錄影,因為我將抬頭看著妳微笑,想念着妳。愛妳的卜。其二:說到那老頭﹐別管他。你訴說的悲痛故事﹐我也有同樣經歷。他会讓你苦等一段長日子﹐忘記他﹐把他掃進垃圾箱﹐他配不上你。其三:Dear Romeo:By the time you see this letter,I will be back home facing my husband,and swallowing the inevitable career-killing pill.Thanks for the good time!Best regards to your lovely family in Canada.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~卜 (pronounced:

9/11 恐怖份子襲擊事件十週年 Tenth anniversary of terrorist attacks: Part 2 (09:03 am) - Mourning a Son's Death

2011-09-11T09:03:00.010-04:00

Photo above: 曾喆媽媽提起兒子心痛流淚 (read news article below)Photo above: 曼哈頓一處消防站門口，張貼著911遇難消防員的名字和照片。(news article below)9-11事件時華人救人遇難名字成紐約街道名稱　在悲傷中尋找到力量走在紐約繁華的街頭，街景美如油畫，人群川流不息，這個城市隱匿的傷痕已經絲毫不見痕跡。一個就在世貿中心不遠的酒店服務生對我們說，現在只要一次停電，一次地震，都會讓曾經經歷過911的人們驚慌失措，唯恐是另一場恐怖的襲擊。十年前彌漫在空中的塵土和煙霧如噩夢一般，依然會出沒在人們的心裏，難以擺脫。不知不覺，轉眼已成十年。在那一天裏，共有3000多個家庭瞬間破碎，熟悉的朋友突然一去不復返。記者採訪了一名曾在廣州生活的華裔母親，她的兒子在救人時不幸犧牲。記者還採訪了一名美國女消防隊員，她的7

9/11 恐怖份子襲擊事件十週年 Tenth anniversary of terrorist attacks: Part 1 (08:46 am) - "I Have A Dream" by ABBA

2011-09-11T08:46:00.001-04:00

Photo above: I took this pic at the National Military Cemetery, Beechwood, Ottawa"I Have A Dream"Songwriters: Benny Andersson / Bjorn UlvaeusSingers: AbbaLyrics:I have a dream, a song to singTo help me cope with anythingIf you see the wonder of a fairy taleYou can take the future even if you failI believe in angelsSomething good in everything I seeI believe in angelsWhen I know the time is right

Beechwood Cemetery - Remembering the Canadians, and others, who Perished their Lives, on the Ten-year Anniversary of 9/11

2011-09-10T15:55:00.006-04:00

I read with emotions the September 10, 2011 Ottawa Sun article entitled "Remembering the Canadians" in which Beechwood Cemetery family services counsellor Tania Turpin recalls how she started with the idea of keeping the memory of the 23 Canadians killed on 9/11 alive.Twenty-two died while they were trapped in the north and south towers of New York's World Trade Centre and one in a plane on that

Canadian Sunset (IMG00417)

2011-09-08T16:17:00.000-04:00

I have taken lots of photos of Canadian sunset, but never one from the parking lot of a strip mall. If you don't see the beauty of it, just remember: One of Canadian singer Joni Michell's famous songs is abt a parking lot !!!! Photo credit:* I took the photo w my BlackBerry outside The City View Running Room on Sep 6, 2011 at 19h55 Sent from BlackBerry

馬拉松賽跑: 事在人為 / Running Marathon - Commitment

2011-09-06T23:59:00.007-04:00

今年一月開始的時候,我本來打算繼續自我訓練,跑第14個馬拉松賽,無奈俺惰性重,又饞嘴,只要老天爺陰陰天還未下出雪花,我就以壞天氣為籍口,取消訓練,直衝往最近的咖啡店喝杯熱騰騰的 chai latte 和吃塊新鮮出爐的 ginger cookie,飽了之後当然是有力無心,再提不起勁出外跑步。跑全程42.2公里的馬拉松可不是 a walk in the park輕而易舉之事,沒有適当的根基和訓練, 肌腱丶骨骼丶關節丶和肌肉受損的風險是大為提高,嚴重的可能会令傷者患上關節炎等纏身病症。所以到了五月,我頗感到心灰意冷,眼見訓練計劃不湯不水,全程馬拉松賽無望,就索性放棄參加所有 Ottawa Race Weekend 的任何賽事。不過,事有湊巧,在比賽開始前兩天,Christine 的朋友因貧血缺鐵問題,不能參加半程馬拉松賽事,她問我願不願意取票填補空缺。我聽後雀躍不已,

馬拉松賽跑: 2011年9月4日的32公里訓練路程地图 / Running Marathon - Sept 4, 2011 Training Route Map

2011-09-04T12:01:00.000-04:00

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/48909158"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Kathy's Route&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&

Road Constructions - (IMG00411, 413)

2011-09-04T00:42:00.001-04:00

With a slow economy, Canadian fed-prov-terr-municipal govts are pumping money into infrastructure projects across the country to help stimulate regional employment. There is so much road construction around the city these days that many drivers find themselves hopping from one detour route to another. Pedestrians and shop keepers are often just as frustrated and impatient as drivers.I took this

The Decline of USA and the Rise of China - The Arena's host Michael Coren interviewed Mark Steyn on Aug 30, 2011 on Sun News Network

2011-08-31T20:36:00.000-04:00

The 1st episode of Sun News Network's The Arena featured Mark Steyn, a controversial American authour who has claimed in his two "doom-mongering best sellers" ('America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It' and 'After America: Get Ready for Armageddon') that, among other things: 1. "... It's an end to two centuries of anglophone dominance by America and Britain ...." 2. "... The dominant

馬拉松賽跑 - iLike的超自然極簡薄底鞋 / Marathon Races - iLike Supernatural Minimalist Running Shoes

2011-08-26T23:59:00.012-04:00

ATTENTION ALL MARATHON RUNNERS*** NEW RUNNING SHOES *** Enhance your road race results withiLike Supernatural, a lightweight, minimalist,flexible racing flat for seasoned runners looking to set a new Personal Best (PB) !!! (Photo Credit: Made in China 貼貼網中文幽默王)

這雙腿雖然小 / This Pair of Marathon Running Legs

2011-08-24T23:59:00.006-04:00

金華火腿雖然小皮香肉嫰卻不嬌能屈能伸兩好漢走遍城市與山莊雙腿携我加國去單身獨步楓葉吹香江月夜英雄塜淚灑机場恨無窮懸樑刺股時光轉專心事業住客船船頭踱步到船尾改頭換面記憶稀金華火腿忙奔跑唐人老外齊pow wow龍袍加身趨時尚唐人老總不尋常意國情迷雖不孝異國情鴛共結巢二人雙足齊合力五岳泰山心血瀝馬拉松賽已成勢勿令雙腿半途廢妳拉我跑笑嘻嘻莫荒歲月老來悲這雙腿子雖然小過去將來萬里飄雙腿如根不忘本走遍天涯世界寛 Photo Credit:* Taken on 20110824 18h37 with my BlackBerry (edited) (Note: This article is not related to Leona 【這双手雖然小】) Updated 20110810: 以下附貼 Space 兄回应這啤並非飛毛腿意國上品確不虛阿K哈利齊跑步金華腿追意國腿

Lotusandcedar - My responses to your comments

2011-08-23T13:15:00.000-04:00

I found out earlier today that my email server had placed all my blogging email into the Spam box since early August.I have since responded to all your comments left at Lotusandcedar todate and will soon visit your blog sites to continue where I left off.Cheers !!!Haricot------------------Sent from BlackBerry

61歲傑克·林頓因癌症去世 / Jack Layton Died of Cancer at Age 61

2011-08-22T09:03:00.005-04:00

The news of Jack Layton passing away at age 61 came as a shock!!!He announced his stepping down as leader of NDP to fight cancer only two weeks ago.He will be remembered, among other things, as the politician who led the NDP to become the official Opposition Party for the first time in Canadian history.RIP Jack, leader of NDP and the "Orange Crush" !!! Sent from BlackBerry___________________

黑莓怪談 / Black Berry

2011-08-17T23:59:00.001-04:00

我最近忙過不了,連上網時間也需要作大幅度的削減,登貼相片文章也是要倚靠黑苺電郵傳真。我的手機沒有中文輸入/輸出軟件,所有通訊系統都是英語对白,再加上日常生活丶言語丶思想都是以加拿大英丶法兩官方語言為主,中文愈來愈變得生疏,漸漸就像忘記了自己的一部份。不過忘記並不就是等於失憶,在午夜夢迴中,那過去的年青人還是健在,還是在愛与恨中翻跟斗,逃不出那七情六欲的五指關。黑莓客對年青人說: 『這好幾個年頭市運不景,母親跌斷了腿子後還待復原,我前些兒又發生了交通意外,所而實在沒有時間幫你忙。』年青人趕緊回答說:『哥兒您倒不用為我費心,您処時光易轉,這処我仍依舊;外世人事變遷,世事如棋日日新,我這夢境長生不老,青春如血月月更。您在世上幹您世上的活兒,我不会怪您忙人忘人,我這世界是永不長大彼德潘的世界,青春如泉水一樣,永流不息,您終有一天是會回來的。』黑莓客聽後放下了心頭大石,

Simply Biscotti, Preston Street, Ottawa (IMG00383)

2011-08-16T10:27:00.000-04:00

I introduced K to Simply Biscotti, a neat Cafe/Restaurant on Preston Street, which I had discovered during the 2011 Italian-week Festival.Altho the ambient settings are not exactly like that in Europe, the food is good and the service has a touch of Italian hospitality. We now go there quite often, mostly for Sunday Brunch. They serve excellent cappuccino, pastries and of course biscotti to go

Ottawa's Experimental Farm: Sun Flowers (IMG00344,57,46,40)

2011-08-15T17:08:00.000-04:00

Sun Flowers often remind me of the Dutch artist Van Gogh whose original paintings I saw in Amsterdam. There is something ironic abt taking electronic photos of sunflowers under a rainbow in Ottawa's Experimental Farm and remembering Van Gogh's dark days painting the Sunflowers hundred of years ago in Europe.Same image, different strokes of luck / misfortune, under the same sun.Photo Credit:* I

Is Obama Engineering the Decline of America?

2011-08-09T15:29:00.000-04:00

With the spiral downward trend of the global stock markets, US politicians are pointing fingers at each other, blaming the other side for causing the chaos. Critics in some quarters of the right even go as far as accusing Prez Obama for engineering the decline of America.Yes, one could blame Obama for being a good orator but a poor car salesman - he had difficulties closing the deal, as suggested

傑米貝克的活動攝影圖片 / Jamie Beck's Cinemagraphs

2011-08-08T23:59:00.009-04:00

Jamie Beck's self portrait (still) According to Wikipedia: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinemagraph)Cinemagraphs are still photographs in which a minor and repeated movement action occurs.They are produced by taking a series of photographs or a video recording, and, using image editing software, compositing the photographs or the video frames

Running Marathon - August 7, 2011 Training Route Map

2011-08-07T23:59:00.004-04:00

這是20ll年8月7日星期日的馬拉松賽跑訓練地图,我在2小時30分內跑完了這段26.31公里的路程,平均速度大約是每公里5:43。有数得計,馬拉松全程是42.2公里 ..... 唉!! 訓練尙未成功,同志還需努力!! &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://

American Debt Crisis - Sustainability of US/World Finance

2011-08-02T11:03:00.000-04:00

I heard this from a CBC's financial analyst this morning: The American debt is now 100% of the country's GDP. The US will need a growth rate of 2.5% to sustain its finance, a scenario that is unlikely to happen given the on-going economic downturn. My thoughts: After the US Senate vote, both Democrat and Republican/Tea-Party hardliners will need to further collaborate and compromise to deal

USA Debt Crisis - A Compromised Deal

2011-08-01T01:10:00.000-04:00

I learnt at around 9 pm Sunday that a compromised deal to address the debt crisis in the US has been reached and will be voted on.Prez Obama did not get all he wanted - the taxation of the rich will be looked at by a super Congress cmttee established to find ways to cut spending. But he will avoid a historical default if the voting proceeds favourably without a major Tea-party revolt on the

Ottawa River Scene(IMG00302, 314, 318)

2011-07-30T23:30:00.000-04:00

These photos were taken during my run along the Ottawa River on July 30, 2011:Two musicians are playing their instruments next to some stone sculptures. The sun is setting and the Canadian geese are busy feeding on the green vegetation grown near the water. The Ottawa Rivers meanders its way through the west end of the city towards downtown and eventually flows out into the St. Lawrence near

English to become Official Language of European Union

2011-07-29T16:54:00.000-04:00

!!! EU NEWS !!! The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union (EU) rather than German, which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5-year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".

Norway Massacre: Home-grown Terrorism

2011-07-25T16:54:00.000-04:00

Now that the 32 years old Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik has admitted, to his defence lawyer Geir Lippestad, responsibility for the Oslo bombing and the massacre at the youth camp, I am sure the visible minorities community in Norway will breath a collective sigh of relief. Not that such a reaction will bring back the dead, heal the injured, or lessen the pain of the living. But at least, the

27歲女作曲家及歌手艾美懷豪絲逝世 / Song Writer and Singer Amy Winehouse Dies at Age 27

2011-07-23T22:30:00.006-04:00

I am really sad to learn that song writer and singer Amy Winehouse passes away at age 27. The cause of her death is yet to be determined. I wrote a series of two articles about Amy Winehouse four years ago (see August 28, 2007 postings below) bemoaning the possibility that the Grammy Award winner might go the way of Janis Joplin and other performers who had died young: Will Amy Winehouse

Merry Xmas !!!

2011-07-21T17:52:00.000-04:00

With a humidex temperature of 43 plus degrees C, the CBC radio station is playing Xmas songs to cool us down.Yes snow, I can almost see it melting and dripping, and Santa Claus ho-ho-ing in his swimming trunk !!Merry Xmas from the Great White North !!!Sent from BlackBerry

野兔 / Wild Rabbit

2011-07-21T00:01:00.003-04:00

我上月事忙,沒有時間剪草,後花園野花雜草叢生,吸引了一些戶外的野生動物。這隻兔子在花草間一蹦一跳,吃飽了樹上跌下來的松子果仁,在後花園快活了一陣子,之後在鄰居車房側边逃跑了。Photo Credit:* I took both pictures on June 16, 2011 at around 16h45 in the backyard.

渥太華河畔比基尼泳衣沙灘排球賽

2011-07-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

我愛夏日長 !!!Photo Credit:* I took all these photos during lunch time on July 14, 2011 at the Britannia Park beach located in the west end of the city next to the Ottawa River.

「字由式一週一題: 在家千日好」之【無尾飛鉈】 / 「Weekly Free-style Writing」: 【Home Sweet Home, Not】

2011-07-18T23:59:00.002-04:00

五湖四海人海漂浮自由自在隨波逐流Updated 20110720Space 留言:五湖四海遨遊盡人海漂浮苦無根自由自在俱往矣隨波逐流是回流Haricot 答曰:人海漂浮見世面自由自在似八仙五湖四海未窮路隨波逐流造浮屠原文:我從小就被母親形容為「無尾飛鉈」(廣東話歇後語,意謂: 無影無踪),做小學生放學後我喜欢四處遊逛,吃飯時間才急急趕路回家。到了中學階段,『收身丶離家丶自覺丶遊天下』的意念開始萌芽,『天大地大,何處不為家』的世界覌漸漸形成,我這年青人的世界是在「外」而不是在「內」。我在香港丶九龍做了「寫字楼後生」和「汽水仔」的暑期工後,就更加是「有毛有翼」,週末深夜不歸巢,加添了父母不少煩憂。在離港那日,「走江湖」的願望是終於達成了。香港彈丸之地慢慢在飛机窗外消失,偷流的淚水令人視野朦朧,我傷心的不是「在家千日好」的老家,而是和女友藕斷絲連的未了情。在加拿大下机時,

Summer Cottage - Open Water Swim

2011-07-17T09:55:00.003-04:00

My friend KF took this pic on July 9, 2011 at CC's Sharbot Lake cottage. I just finished my swim out to a little island and back. The weather was excellent that day. The sun was shinning and the lake calm, a perfect day for spending time at a cottage.ps: I am writing this blog article at A's cottage at Big Rideau Lake !! Three cheers for a warm Canadian summer. BTW, this is the first time I

Ottawa's Queensway Highway 417

2011-07-15T01:03:00.000-04:00

I took these pics of the Queensway looking east (top) and west (bottom) from an over-pass in the west end of Ottawa. I was enjoying the evening clouds and wondered how many ppl would actually stop and look at a sunset these days.Cars and trucks were zooming by under my feet at over 100 km per hour. Why is life always such a big rush ??!!Photo credit:* Haricot's Blackberry camera July 12, 2011

March in July

2011-07-12T18:20:00.000-04:00

I posted the following comments at Beer Flower's blog re whether to participate in street protests or not. Obviously, these are my opinions and each individual must weigh the potential cost/benefits/risks and make his/her own final decision. Haricot said .....We all have our own circumstances to consider and must weigh the impacts AND responsibilities to (approx in that order):- ourselves- loved

Ranting about Cottaging (in the Canadian wilderness)

2011-07-09T23:59:00.000-04:00

Definition of Cottaging: A seasonal activity involving a prolonged stay at one or more cottages; similar to visiting, but typically for a longer duration and at a seasonal home that one owns or rents. (source: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cottaging )Just like canoeing and portaging, there is something very Canadian when we add 'ing' to 'cottage' and make it into a verb (if you think this article

Canada ended combat operations in Afghanistan

2011-07-07T02:48:00.007-04:00

I am posting this Ottawa Citizen article that marks the end of Canada's combat operations in Afghanistan. Many men and women went over there to serve; 157 did not return. The future of Afghanistan? To be continued.Related lotusandcedar blog articles:* 靈魂之窗: 加拿大士兵与阿富汗女孩 / Windows to the Souls: Karine Blais & Sharbat Gula http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2009/04/

＜唉依家啲後生女＞ / Climbing the Corporate Ladder

2011-07-05T23:59:00.005-04:00

I just finished reading a Chinese book entitled “猫猫的白領生活”that tells the story of a fictitous female character Meow Meow who was able to use her charm and ruthless tactics to climb the corporate ladder in China. Throughout the story, Meow Meow was portrayed as a modern-day Chinese university graduate who was not just smart, but also strategic. Nothing could stand in the way of her desire to

2011年7月1日加拿大國慶日:【煙花】 / July 1, 2011 Canada Day: 【Fireworks】

2011-07-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

今年的加拿大國慶日,我沒有安排什麽大節目,只簡單的與母親及 K 往渥太華市中心的國会山莊和露天市場逛逛。今時不同往日了,老媽子自從12月摔斷了腿子骨後,行動不便,氣力也比舊年差勁了很多,她一跛一跛的用拐杖在前面敲地走,我一步一步地望天打卦在她後面跟,母子倆,一勞力,一勞心,在街道人叢中艱步而行。K 看在眼,知道我們都是牛脾氣硬頸之人,她倒不想和我們這些苦行僧侶磨練整個下午,所以未到半途,她就嚷肚子餓,要在 Clarence Street Memories Restaurant 回憶餐室休息,我也樂得同意討好,於是三人一坐就在那裏逗留了一小時多,又叫冷飲止渴,又要三文治祭五臟廟,財散人安樂。母親年紀老邁,吃飽了肚子就有點倦意,於是我和 K 送了她回家,之後我們兩個較年輕的,就繼續在加拿大首都自尋欢樂,打發了整個下午。当晚10時,上千興奮吶喊的市民在國会山莊前齊集,

生命樹 / The Tree of Life

2011-07-03T23:59:00.003-04:00

今晚與 K往 Towne Cinema 看這套故事層次頗為複雜的電影,導演把地點丶時間丶人物交叉剪貼,令我看罷也有點摸不著頭腦,所以回家後,我要查看維基百科,和搜索其它網上影評的解釋,才對故事有一個更深切的明白。如果您是年輕一代的覌众,或对養兒育女沒有實際經驗者,可能都会對這長138分鐘的影片覺得納悶。不過,無可否認,在視覺藝術來說,【生命樹】中的拍攝鏡頭丶色彩丶角度確是一流。".... 故事開始於一個五十年代的美國中西部家庭，十一歲的積克與父母及兩兄弟同住，他似乎擁有一切美好的東西。他的母親無時無刻展露著愛與仁慈，使積克學會用心靈看到生命中璀璨光明的一面；但父親(畢彼特飾)則告訴他現實是個適者生存的殘酷世界。雙親對兒子的教導及期望存有極大分歧，積克夾在他們之間成為磨心。其後，積克目睹病痛、苦難及死亡，令他眼中原本光明的世界變成混沌的迷宮。受到父親的影響，長大後的積克(辛潘飾)