您的留言,我的回应 / My Responses to Your Comments

很抱歉未能立刻回应您的留言,我一定会儘快找時間回覆!!! // I apologize for not being able to respond to your comments in a timely fashion. Please be reassured that I will do so asap !!

人之初,性本善 / What Keeps Me going - Faith in the Human Race

About 12 months ago, I left the following comments with Ruth's Nov 27, 2008 blog article "Memory":

" ... Over the years, I have disappointed some people and some people have disappointed me. But I keep my faith in the belief that the human race as a whole has made progress in spite of the ups and downs and some bad experience."

I will come back here 12 months from now and reflect again.

Reference: http://ruthtam.blogspot.com/2008/11/memory.html

兩週一聚 (二十七期) 「我本將心向明月，奈何明月照溝渠」 / 2weeks1gather (#27)「The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions」

以下是網友「雪凌」解題:“... 自以為俠義的行為, ... 結果一番好心人家不領情還給臉色你看。 相信我們都或多或少遇過這種“我本將心向明月，奈何明月照溝渠”滿腔熱情遇上兜頭冰水，...."

以下是我的個人經驗:

The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

It all started years ago when I was a teenager working as an office boy one summer in Hong Kong. Beside serving teas and running errands all over Central District 中環, I took an interest in learning short-hand and typing, two skills that were monopolized by secretaries, of which 99.99% were women.

Fast forward to my first job in Canada.

Me the Junior Engineer: "Hi, could you type up this report for me please?"

Secretary: "I am quite busy now. You will have to wait till tomorrow."

Me the Innocent (with the intention of helping her out): "Not to worry!! Can I use your typewriter after you leave work today? I will type the report myself."

Seasoned Secretary (who took my comment as a slight): "Oh!! So you will type it yourself, eh? Be my guest !!! (assuming I don't know how to type)"

The next day, upon finding that I DID type up the report, the secretary mentioned this highly "unusual" incident to the big boss.

Superintendent: "I heard you are typing your own reports now (said so with a somewhat sarcastic and reprimanding tone)."

Me the Underling (replied defensively): "I was just trying to help her out because she was so busy."

Big Boss-man: "You are an engineer (of which 99.99% are male in his universe). Engineers DO NOT type."

Me the Male Engineer: "But I KNOW how to type!!"

Big Engineer (grinning): "Then wear a skirt!!"

Talking abt a good intention that had gone awry !!!

Needless to say, I did not wear a skirt, but I do have the last laugh !!!

References:
* 網友「雪凌」解題: http://mypaper.pchome.com.tw/1012061234/post/1320300136
* 其它有關 『好心著雷劈』(我翻譯為 "The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions") 的文章: http://2weeks1gather.wordpress.com/

旅遊南美洲秘魯:【與海獅嬉泳】 / Travel to Peru, South America:【Frolicking with Sea Lions】

「兩週一聚」十一月專題 : 「旅遊大事小記」之【與海獅嬉泳】 / 2weeks1gather's 「Monthly Feature for November」【Frolicking with Sea Lions】

在2008年2月尾至3月中在秘魯旅遊時, 曾坐船由El Callao卡亞俄海港出發,探訪離岸直線約10公里,在太平洋中海獅聚集的 Palomino群島。因為途中經過的大島 Isla San Lorenzo 是軍警禁區,所以船長要繞道而行,不敢太靠近封鎖線。據他說多年前,囚禁在島上監獄內的反政府份子(「光明之路」Sendero Luminoso 和「圖帕克-阿馬魯革命行動」游擊隊MRTA)發難暴動,上任強人 阿爾韋托•藤森謙也 Alberto Ken'ya Fujimori 拒絕談判,下令軍机轟炸,把監獄與犯人一併毀滅,移為平地。但現在藤森自己也在監獄服刑,南美國家的政治也是複雜!!

船長把小輪繞道過了禁區之後,在Palomino群島中找了一個下錨的地方,跟著叫我們跳進海裏,和海獅一起游泳。雖然我水性不差,在渥太華有「自由里泳」的訓練基礎,但這波濤洶湧的海洋,和加拿大平靜的湖泊河川比較,卻是有天淵之別。再者,那些海獅身体龐大 (維基百科: 雄獅身体可長達2.73米及重至350多公斤),如果它們想要咬我一口,或扯著要我和各獅兄丶獅妹潛水嬉戲,我寡不敵众,沒頂被溺的机会什高。就在我猶豫不决之際,其它遊客已像投崖旅鼠一樣,噗通丶噗通的投海「自殺」去了!! 唉,為了保存「唐人」的面子声譽,我也只有硬著頭皮,跟著他們跳將下去!!

媽呀!那海水寒冷如冰,白頭浪有兩米多高,我想到中國古訓《增廣賢文》有云:『煩惱皆因強出頭』,這次為了呈強,会不会弄到自己性命不保??!不過那些海獅倒是非常和善,在我前後左右翻跟斗嬉戲,它們是好奇的動物,有好几次和我面对面的看了一回兒,或許南美族的海獅是從未遇見過亞洲人罷!!正当我玩得興起之際,猛然發覺暗潮已把我推向島岸的嶙峋怪石,而小輪卻被海浪拋開離我数十米之遙,就在這危急關頭,善泳的船長在浪中冒出頭來,一手抽著我的救生衣,毫不費力地把我拖回船上,跟著他又跳回海裏,救援其他船友。

在小輪慢慢地離開Palomino群島的時候,我實在感到有點依依不捨,我多么渴望能像海獅一樣,在大自然碧海藍天中過那無憂無慮的生活。我回頭一看,有些嬉戲的海獅還像兵捉賊的在追逐我們,在驚濤駭浪中,它們很像一群好玩的水孩子。

Photo Credit 攝影图片: I took all the photos except the first one.

Related links:
* Please see my other blog articles and photographs on "旅遊南美洲秘魯 / Travel to Peru, South America"
* Other 「兩週一聚」 articles: http://2weeks1gather.wordpress.com/

References:
* "South American Sea Lion" Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_American_Sea_Lion

最普遍的老年癡呆症(腦退化症): 阿茲海默病 (二) 探索大腦之旅 / Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT): Part 2 "Brain Tour"

The Alzheimer's Association has this great slide-show that is both informative and easy to understand. Please start by choosing either the Chinese or English tour below:

探索大腦之旅

參加旅程: 這趟旅程共有16張互動的幻燈片.

大腦之旅為你解說腦部運作的奥祕和阿滋海默症對它的影響. 當你在看每一張幻燈片時,請將滑鼠點到橘色的醫學詞句上, 圖片即會顯示相關部分的位置, 然後,點箭頭符號即可前往下一頁.

Chinese: http://www.alz.org/brain_chinese/

Brain Tour: There are 16 interactive slides. As you view each slide, roll your mouse over any colored text to highlight special features of each image. Then, click on the arrow to move to the next slide.

English: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_4719.asp#

Reference: All coloured text and the photo are from the Alzheimer's Association.

Related Link: Previous article 【最普遍的老年癡呆症(腦退化症): (一) 科學資料節錄 / Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT): Part 1 "Scientific Perspective"】http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2009/11/dementia-part-1-scientific-perspective.html

Next: Click below for Part 3

最普遍的老年癡呆症 (腦退化症) 阿茲海默病: (三) 無忘我 / Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT) Part 3: Forget Me Not

最普遍的老年癡呆症(腦退化症): (一) "阿滋海默症科學資料節錄" / Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT) Part 1 "Scientific Perspective on Alzheimer's Disease"

The purpose of this series of articles is to provide additional information and different perspectives to my previous blog article entitled "最普遍的老年癡呆症(腦退化症): 人去楼空 / Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT): He no longer lives here." Let me start by acknowledging the comments made by Best Actor. His suggestion of "人未遠去樓永不空" has reminded me the human side of the story, one that focuses on the patient as well as those who are providing love, care and support to the individual. So, here is the first article.

Part 1: Scientific Perspective

1.1 Ten Signs

According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are roughly ten warning signs:

這是不是阿滋海默症? Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease (Chinese)

阿滋海默症是一個腦部退化的疾病，它的起因無人知道, 現在仍未有治瘉的方法。為了幫助您去認識此病症的警告訊號，阿滋海默症協會設計了列出此病常見病徵的檢查列表。請查閱以下的列表， 並在令您擔憂的病徵旁加上√ 這個符號。如果您在檢閱完以下的列表後，在多項病徵旁都加上這個√符號，您應替有那些病徵的人士約見醫生進行全面的檢查。

1. 短期記憶損失影響工作技能
偶然忘記分配的工作、同事的名字或商業伙伴的電話號碼，而在後來再記起來，這都是正常的。那些有失憶病，如阿滋海默症的人，會比較多忘記事情，而在後來仍不能記起來。他們會重覆的問同一的問題，而又記不起答案。

2. 執行熟悉的工作時有困難
很多時繁忙的人都會分心，他們或許會把一些菜放在電爐上，而在吃過晚飯後才記起忘了把這道菜放在飯桌上。患有阿滋海默症的人在弄好了菜後，不但會忘記把它放在飯桌上，亦會忘記自己已弄好了菜。

3. 語言上有困難
每個人都會有些時候找不到適合的用字，但仍能正確地用其他的字去完成句語。患有阿滋海默症的人會忘記簡單的用字，或用不正確的字去填補句子，或說出不可理解的句語。

4. 失去對時間和地點的認知力
短暫性的忘記了某天是星期幾或自己的目的地是正常的。但阿滋海默症的病患者會在自己住的那條街或熟悉的購物商場中迷路，不知道他身處何地，怎樣到達那裡或怎樣回家。

5. 判斷力減弱
有時人可以因完全投入一種活動或電話而暫時忘記他在看管的小孩。阿滋海默症患者會完全忘記了他在看管的小孩,並且出外去探訪鄰居。他們的衣著可能不適合他們所處的場合，如穿著多件的恤衫。

6. 抽象思維的困難
有些人在計算銀行戶口的結帳時，如果發現工作比想像中困難，可能會一時手足無措，但慢慢便會找到解決的辦法。阿滋海默症患者會完全忘記那些數字代表什麼，和怎樣去處理那些數字。

7. 忘記東西放在何處
任何人也有可能忘記了銀包或鎖匙放在何處，但最後仍能推斷出可能遺留的地方。患有阿滋海默症的人會把東西放在不適當的地方，如把電燙斗放在雪櫃裡，或把手錶放在碗中。

8. 情緒或行為的改變
每個人都會有不開心或情緒不穩定的時候。阿滋海默症患者會在沒有明顯的理由下表現出急速的情緒驟變，例如在短時間由平靜變為傷心，再變為憤怒，又變為平靜。

9. 個性的轉變
人的個性通常的情況下都會隨著年紀而產生微小的改變，如性格變為比較強烈或緩和。阿滋海默症患者的個性會有極大的變化，變成極度的混淆、暴躁、多疑或驚懼。

10. 失去自發性
厭倦家務、工作上的應酬或社交活動是正常的，但多數人都會重拾他們的自發性。阿滋海默症患者會變成被動，並需要提示才參加活動。

1.2 Three Stages

Most scientists agree that people with Alzheimer's usually fall into one of the three categorise or stages, as described by Wikipedia below:

阿茲海默症的症狀因人而異，大致可分為三個階段。有的拖延數年卻變化不明顯，有的幾個月便到達晚期，難以預料。
早期症狀於最初發病 2-3年，健忘(尤其新近發生的事)、缺乏創造力、進取心，且喪失對原有事物的興趣與工作衝勁。

中期症狀於最初發病的 3-4年後，對於人、事、地、物漸無定向感，注意力轉移，且一般性理解能力減低。此外，會重覆相同的語言、行為及思想，而情緒不穩，缺乏原有之道德與倫理的標準，常有迫害妄想的人格異常等現象，但無病識感。偶爾會出現"黃昏症候群"。
晚期症狀
語無倫次、不可理喻、喪失所有智力功能、智能明顯退化。而且逐漸不言不語、表情冷漠、肌肉僵硬、憔悴不堪，以及出現大小便失禁、容易感染等。
1.3 Mild Cognitive Impairment
Here is a HBO video that is part of "The Alzheimer's Project" entitled "Identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)". It is worthwhile watching this 23+ minutes video to gain a better understanding of Alzheimer's Disease through two real case-studies.

References: * "這是不是阿滋海默症?" http://www.alz.org/national/documents/Chinese_10_warning_signs.pdf (2008 阿滋海默症協會. 版權所有 此為阿滋海默症協會之正式出版品.但非附屬之機構與個人亦可散佈此出版品.惟此散佈不構成阿滋海默症協會對該機構與個人或其行為之贙同或支持. 要取得更多資訊，請打電話: 或瀏覽綱頁 http://www.alz.org/) * Wikipedia: 阿茲海默病 http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E9%98%BF%E5%85%B9%E6%B5%B7%E9%BB%98%E7%97%85 ; Alzheimer's Disease http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer%27s_disease * HBO video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrvFi0OXc90&feature=channel) ***** DISCLAIMER: Any information contained in articles posted on my blog "Lotus and Cedar" must not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor(s) or other medical professionals for their expert opinions. ***** Next: Nov 23, 2009 最普遍的老年癡呆症(腦退化症):   (二) 探索大腦之旅 /Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT) Part 2 "Brain Tour"  http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.ca/2009/11/httpwww.html

中華人民共和國加入世界貿易組織八週年 / The 8th Anniversary of China's Accession to WTO

(This blog article is posted on 2009-11-19, immediately after the official visit of US Prez Obama to the PRC. It will be updated as required btwn now and the 2009-12-11 anniversary date)

China was granted "official observer" status by GATT on November 6, 1984. It took a record-breaking 15 yrs of negotiations for China to become a member of WTO, on December 11, 2001. Despite skepticism from both within and without China at the beginning, successive Chinese leaders have been able to implement key economic reforms in compliance with WTO requirements and launch China toward a more market-based economy. For the last two decades or so, the growth of the Chinese economy is breath-taking and has surprised many nay-sayers.

However, the transformation has its ups and downs as well as gains and losses. For example: It was not easy for the older hardliners who had been fighting "capitalists" most of their adult lives, only to see their own country going the free-market way albeit socialist style. It was not easy for officials of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to lean the meaning of competitiveness, although the word "profit" was being picked up fairly quickly (which then begged the question: for whom?) The provincial, regional and municipal governments also had to work with Beijing on a renewed governance model with the decentralization of economic planning and control.

As well, there are many challenges ahead and here are just some examples (not in any order of priority):

* the balance act btwn political and economic reforms, both in terms of pace and degree
* further reform of the financial sector, banking system, judicial system, etc., as well as the undertaking of other commitments to comply with WTO protocols and regulations
* pressure from the Obama Administration in areas of trade deficit, devaluation of the Renminbi, removal of trade barriers/irritants (e.g. IP rights), more import into China, protection of American jobs back home, etc.
* pressure from EU in areas of human rights, Tibet, the environment and other social, economic, environmental, and geo-political issues
* the intricate and delicate links btwn investment-trade and China's foreign policies with respect to Iran, North Korea, Russia, Africa allies, global terrorism, etc.
* strategies concerning Sustainable Consumption and Production - from greenhouse gases emissions to the availability of renewable and non-renewable resources (energy, rare-earth elements, ...) to the protection of the environment and health and wellness of people - while maintaining high enough employment to prevent social discontent and unrest.
* economic competitions and threats from other BRIC countries, in terms of labour cost, quality of goods and services, branding, innovations, science and technology, productivity, exchange rate, and other competitiveness-related issues.

To end on a light note after a somewhat serious discussion, I would like to present the readers with a parody I wrote based on the first line of the classic movie "Casablanca".

"Casabanker" / Act 2009: There is always Doha !! / First line:

Narrator: "... With the coming of the Second Economic Order, many eyes in imprisoned derivatives turned hopefully, or desperately, toward the freedom of the trade. China became the great embarkation point. But, not everybody could get to the market directly, and so a tortuous, roundabout trail sprang up - Singapore to Beijing ... across land and oceans to Doha ... Just like the last days of GATT - then by train, or auto or plane across the rim of Africa, to Marrakesh, Morocco. Today, the fortunate ones through money, or influence, or luck, might obtain building permits and scurry to Beijing; and from Beijing to the new Disney World. But the others wait in Never Ever Land ... and wait ... and wait ... and wait."

Cut and take five !!!

References:

* IMDb Memorable Quotes from Casablanca http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/quotes

* 關稅與貿易總協定（General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, GATT）

* 世界貿易組織 (World Trade Organization, WTO)

* Wikipedia http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTO: "... 2001年12月11日：中華人民共和國經過15年的談判正式加入，這是關貿總協定／世貿歷史上談判時間最長的一次。香港和澳門則在1995年1月1日世貿正式成立時加入，兩地分別主權移交到中華人民共和國後，其在世貿的名稱也換為中國香港和中國澳門。.."

* China's Observer Status granted by GATT 1984-11-06
http://www.sunsonline.org/trade/process/during/8485/other/11080384.htm
GENEVA, NOVEMBER 6 1984 (IFDA) -- The Peoples Republic of China was granted Tuesday observer status in GATT and its bodies. While the GATT Council acted by consensus on this, the actual legal position of China was still a matter of dispute. China was one of the original signatories of GATT in 1947. But in 1950, the "Republic of China" or Taiwan, which then occupied the seat, withdrew from GATT - a withdrawal that the Peoples Republic of China has not accepted as legal. In making its application, the Chinese did not specifically speak about "observer status", but asked for the right to attend GATT meetings, and its intention to consult and coordinate with Contracting Parties, and that this would facilitate a decision by the Peoples Republic of China on the membership in GATT. The Chinese letter had made clear that it was without prejudice to its legal stand. While everyone welcomed the grant of observer status to China, United States would appear to have specifically reserved the U.S. legal position with regard to China. If the Chinese legal position were to be accepted, in order to acquire full GATT rights, it would not have to negotiate with individual countries on exchange of concessions - a necessary pre-requisite for new members before their protocol of accession would be accepted.
But it was clear that none of the present GATT members would accept this - since in effect it would enable China to get all the benefits of over three decades of mutual concessions by others in trade liberalisation, without China itself having to do anything.

Important note:
***** This article was written based on information from public and media reports. Readers are strongly advised to cross reference and verify all information contained herein. Your comments and updated info are most welcome *****

不愛小孩的聖誕老人 / When Santa doesn't like kids

It has been reported that a shopping-mall Santa will not let kids who have not been vaccinated sit on his lap.

Mommy, Santa is not being nice :(

香港大帽山 / Tai Mo Shan, HK

I just watched a YouTube video clip "Climbing the Tai Mo Shan mountain range" by Michael Rogge (he has posted a lot of vintage footage of old HK). Watching his video reminds me of one trip I had tried to undertake but was cut short ....

Many years ago, I went back to HK and on my itinerary was a trip up Tai Mo Shan. I started at the bottom near the village but got lost and was soon surrounded by a pack of vicious village dogs. They were abt to attack when I made a hasty retreat from their territory. Needless to say my hike was cut short and I never made it to the summit !!!

Given another chance, I would bring along two of my collapsible hiking/ski poles to defend myself. They worked wonderfully when I was hiking on Lipari Island (Italy) where I successfully asserted my "alpha-male" right-of-way through some growling Sicilian dogs.

Related links / References:

* Photos of Lipari Island, Italy 【山徑人生 / Find My Own Track】 http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2009/06/find-my-own-track.html

* 攝影图片 / Photo Credit: Wikipedia


"... 大帽山（英文：Tai Mo Shan）是香港最高的山峰，海拔957米，比第二高的山峰鳳凰山高23米。大帽山處於新界的中部，山體廣闊，坡度相對平緩，其附近範圍被劃入大帽山郊野公園之內。附近則為大欖郊野公園及林村郊野公園。大帽山位於荃灣區和元朗區交界，並有小部分屬於大埔區。由於大帽山在春天時經常出現大霧的情況，絕大部份香港人會將大帽山誤以為叫做「大霧山」。 ... "

經濟轉型: 消費國變出口商,世界工廠變消費國 / Global Economy: Import, Export and Consumerism

Below is the transcript of my comments posted on Space's Nov 16, 2009 blog article entitled "威士忌 Whisky 為自己"
(http://mindnecessity.blogspot.com/2009/11/whisky-apec-suntory-hall-gag-obamaobama.html)

Space:

Thank you for putting all the relevant info in one place. I did read your WHOLE article, incl Prez Obama's speech.

In his address to the target audience in and outside of Japan, incl Democrats and Republicans alike in the US, there are many foreign policy messages that seem to be key to the future relationships btwn the US and her allies, enemies, and those in btwn.

Prez Obama mentioned China in his speech many times, partly to deal head-on with Japan's fear of a renewed US-China relationship at the expense of Japanese interest, but also to send a strong signal to Beijing prior to his visit. Of course, let's not be naïve and think that this was the first trial balloon launched to seek a Chinese reaction. For a major Presidential speech that was expected to garner world attention, a lot of bilateral leg-work would have been done by diplomats through official and unofficial channels. Also, one should not underestimate the pre-emptive statement made by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson on November 11th re China's positions on Tibet and other issues. All to say, there had been messages back and forth btwn the two countries before Prez Obama stepped onto Chinese soil.

I think the key point in his speech abt China is that the US intends to change the imbalanced US-China trade relationship. Currently, US consumerism is out of control and the World's Factory, China, is reaping the profit by importing billion dollars of goods into the US while keeping the value of the Renminbi (artificially) low.

I note that you've already posted a lot of info on Prez Obama's visit to China. So I will save some of my comments for later.

Attachment: A report from Ming Pao for your info.

【明報專訊2009年11月15日】

明言經濟轉型 消費國變出口商

奧巴馬在東京的演說中，向亞洲國家傳達的一個重要經濟信息，就是美國將加緊推動全球及區域性的自由貿易談判，希望令美國未來轉型成出口導向型經濟體，亞洲經濟增長也不能再依賴美國消費者。他說﹕「這次衰退其中一個重要教訓是，高度依賴美國消費者，以及亞洲靠出口推動經濟增長，都存在局限性。」對美國來說，這個新轉變將是多儲蓄一點、減少財赤和擴大出口，而亞洲國家應致力改善對美貿易失衡。他強調，美國願與亞洲國家共同努力，促成「多哈回合」談判成功，促進世界經濟平衡發展。美經濟學家指出，近年美國在亞洲貿易合作上裹足不前，令中國和亞洲有機會自行大搞自由貿易協議，華府已錯過了「上船」機遇，奧巴馬至少要在經濟層次上，重啟與亞洲的合作。

促亞洲改善對美貿易失衡:

雖然奧巴馬在演說中沒談到貿易糾紛和人民幣問題，但現實中，美國貿易保護主義問題繼續升溫。繼對中國進口輪胎徵重稅後，美國國際貿易委員會周五也初步裁定，中國和墨西哥無縫銅管在美國「存在傾銷行為，對美國業界造成損害」。美國一些廠家要求向中墨兩國銅管產品開徵最多逾85％的反傾銷稅。

(Source: 明報2009年11月15日 星期日 05:10 hk.news.yahoo.com/article/091114/4/f6ax.html)