「兩週一聚」第四十七期: 【笑傲江湖】 ∕ 2weeks1gather #47 【A Lone Ranger】

我年青時起願要「收身丶離家丶自覺丶遊天下」,這或許和中學老師教導的「修身丶齊家丶治國丶平天下」訓言大有分別,但從「行萬里路勝讀萬卷書」的角度來看,效果卻是有點異曲同工之妙。我離開了生長之地之後,獨自一人「跑江湖」,走遍了世界很多個角落,雖沒有做到「平天下」的豐功偉業,但是,在与不同的國家丶種族丶文化溝通之間,在工作丶旅遊丶上網互研之際,我多多少少也儘了做推廣「和平合作」的職責,也積聚了一些做人處世的經驗。但我行走「江湖」多年,卻從未想到有「笑丶傲」那種瀟灑脫俗丶俠義心腸丶鋤強扶弱的感覺。反之,我与各「江湖」俠男俠女接觸愈多,就愈發覺自己只是芸芸众生人海中的一份子,有人比我弱,亦有人比我強,正是一山還有一山高,強中更有強中手,何「笑丶傲」之有?至於人与人之間的恩恩怨怨,我想那是人類的「通有病」,人世間之事有憾有不憾,鄰居親戚也可以因芝麻綠豆小事而大動干戈,這倒不是和走江湖丶上網絡有什么特別的關係。

或許我這個鹹水書生是不明白出題人「逸之」的指引,誤解了「笑傲江湖」的含意。在我來說,行走江湖,無論是「收身丶離家丶自覺丶遊天下」或「修身丶齊家丶治國丶平天下」,都很難以「笑丶傲」來形容我的經驗和感受。而網友和網友之間的關係,是善是惡,也只不過是人類羣体社会的縮影而已!!

Photo Credit: http://www.worth1000.com/galleries.asp (That's my type of 笑傲江湖 :O)

Related Articles:

* 【修身,齊家,治國,平天下】 / 【Refine One-self; Get Married; Govern the Nation; Bring Peace to the World】 view Nov 2006 article

* 「兩週一聚: 旅遊」之【修身,齊家,治國,平天下】(二) / 「Bi-weekly Series: Travel」【Refine One-self; Get Married; Govern the Nation; Bring Peace to the World】(Part 2) view Jan 2009 article

References:

* 【兩周一聚】 網上文章聚會，每月十五及三十日出稿，男女老幼無國界無任歡迎! For other articles of the same theme, please visit: 2weeks1gather.wordpress.com/

* 「逸之」 : 今次有幸出題,題目是叫做笑傲江湖,當然不是叫大家寫書評. 江湖,當然不是用刀刀劍劍互劈那種. 什麼是江湖?我記得笑傲江湖的電影版的任我行的一句對白.有人的地方就有恩怨,有恩怨的地方就有江湖.人就是江湖.在這個Blog的江湖,各位blog 友怎看待這個江湖呢?有沒有想過,透過寫blog 去得到什麼? 好像田伯光般,想做什麼就做什麼?像沖虛,方證般與世無爭?好像左冷禪般野心勃勃?誓要做一番大事?好像東方不敗般,不惜做出重大犧牲也要得到什麼?(欲達一百萬hit,必先揮刀自宮?),大家怎看blogger之間的關係呢?一起說一下吧! (Blog site: "All or Nothing" http://rhamina.mysinablog.com)

Travel to Scotland - Back to Canada today !!!

I just came back to Canada from Scotland and will read and respond to your comments left at lotusandcedar btwn Sept 13 and 28, 2010.

I will post articles and photos about Scotland soonest !!!

Golden Oldies: "Georgy Girl" by The Seekers

Here is the song "Georgy Girl" that so much reminds me of Tonie, after all these years (sorry K) !!!



(Source: YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qapF-7lh_NU)

Golden Oldies: "I Will Never Find Another You" by The Seekers

Here is the song "I Will Never Find Another You" by Judith Durham of The Seekers, who also sang "Georgy Girl" in the movie of the same name. Lynn Redgrave who played Georgy Girl in the movie died May 2 2010 in Connecticut.


(Source: YouTube video)

Golden Oldies: "House Of The Rising Sun" by The Animals

Does anyone know who wrote "The House of the Rising Sun"? Here is the version from Eric Burdon and The Animals.

Eric Burdon - Vocals
Alan Price - Keyboard
Hilton Valentine - Lead Guitar
Chas Chandler - Bass Guitar
John Steel - Drums



(Source: YouTube user Hamish500000)

Golden Oldies: The Doors "Light My Fire" by Jim Morrison et al

This is an amazing song by The Doors !!! Like Janis Joplin and some others rockers of that by-gone era, the lead singer Jim Morrison (shown in video) also died young.

I have picked from YouTube two versions, the top one has good stero sound, and the bottom, live shot of the band in Europe. I have also posted the lyrics below.

Enjoy !!!



(Source: YouTube video posted by inBLOOMman)

Lyrics:

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn't get much higher

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire, yeah

The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire, yeah

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn't get much higher

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire

The video below was recorded live in Europe. This version of "Light My Fire" is slightly different than the one above.



(Source: Video from eaglerocktv)

Reference:

According to Eagle Rock TV, http://www.eagle-rock.com/artist/A848:

"... The Doors were founded by Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison in Los Angeles in 1965. They released their eponymous debut album, which contained their hit single Light My Fire, in 1967 and went on to be one of the most controversial and influential rock acts of the sixties. Jim Morrison's early death in Paris in 1971 only served to fuel their legend and both he and the band have continued to enjoy iconic status for more than thirty years. This incredible performance of Light My Fire is from the Eagle Vision DVD "Live in Europe" ....."

Golden Oldies: "San Francisco"

Here is a golden oldie called "San Francisco" that was written by John Phillips and performed by Scott McKenzie during the Vietnam War era. At the time, the Cold War was still raging hard and there was a real fear of a nuclear World War III btwn NATO countries and socialist/communist regimes such as the USSR and China. The song was extremely popular among the so-called flower-child generation (as song lyrics go: "... be sure to wear some flowers in your hair ..") who were rallying for world peace. The B-52 bomber peace symbol and "Make Love not War" slogan were popular among the young ppl in both North America and Western Europe.

Fast forward to 2010: Well, many of the hippies have become yuppies and are now part of the mainstream society. The world has survived the doomsday clock, altho it is now facing a different type of security threat known as terrorism. International relationships have changed a lot since then, with the fall of the Berlin Wall and then the disintegration of the USSR and the Eastern Bloc. There is no more "iron curtain". China too emerged from behind the so-called "bamboo curtain" and is taking a new approach to developing its global economic power.

A lot have changed. But perhaps a lot remain to be done too !!!



(Source: YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bch1_Ep5M1s)

Reference:

Official Information on the Single "San Francisco"San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair).
(text: www.scottmckenzie.info/music.html)

" ...Early on the day Scott recorded San Francisco, some friends picked wildflowers and wove a garland, which he wore while he sang, as his friends sat on the floor and meditated in the studio. Since the city of San Francisco was the primary west coast port of disembarkation for all returning military personnel, the song San Francisco became a homecoming song for all Vietnam Veterans from 1967 on. Scott has dedicated every American performance of San Francisco to Vietnam veterans and in 2002 sang at the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

In the rest of the world, especially in Eastern Europe, San Francisco became a freedom song. "During the Cold War the secret police threatened residents with imprisonment just for listening to western music. Many of these people adopted San Francisco as their personal anthem of hope and freedom. It is very humbling," says Scott.

It had been intended that the John Phillips song Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) would be Scott's follow up song to San Francisco but contractual obligations resulted in the Mamas and Papas recording the song and Scott released Like An Old Time Movie, which was a minor hit, and to this day he is known as a 'one hit wonder'. On stage Scott says that if you are going to be a one hit wonder, San Francisco is the hit to have.

There is a theory that Like An Old Time Movie was not a bigger hit, especially in Europe, because at that time Europeans did not really know what an old time movie was - they didn't have late movies on television. ...."

Photo Credit: Wikipedia "San Francisco"

「兩周一聚」 第四十六期題目 - 我喜愛的老師: 【小王子与老郭】 / 「2weeks1gather」 #46 - My Favourite Teacher: 【Little Prince and Master Kwok】

***This lotusandcedar blog article was originally posted on Mar 21, 2009***

【小王子与老郭】/ "Little Prince and Master Kwok"

話說在青蛙島半山區中,有一和尚寺學校,校園內陽盛陰衰,很多十來歲的小伙子入世未深,对人生常識一知半解,瞎子摸象,所以年紀較長的留班生「小王子」便被擁躉推選為衆憎之首。小王子父母在海外金山做纏身的歺館業,為了不想兒子變為「竹升仔」,所以特送了他回港讀書,卻料不到山高黃帝遠,小王子好食懶非,學業成績每況愈下,留了一次班還是不悔悟,前途實令人堪慮。

一日午膳時間,小王子与眾猢猻在校園無花果樹下無所事事,他從校褸袋掏出了一張摺殘了的相片,吹噓說:『誰想看妖精打架相片?』擁躉登時雀躍不已,都爭先恐後,要搶着去看,吵鬧声傳到巡邏紏察的耳朵裏,他立刻將事件報告当值老師領功,小王子就被送上校長室記過。教員室老師們知道此事後,大都搖頭嘆息,認為愚子不可教也,結論是記過多次的小王子窮途末路,遲早終会被趕出校門。

唯獨有一個花名叫「老郭」的中文老師,他就是不肯放棄教學這神性的任務。翌日,在上中文課時,小王子照例夢幻太虛,冷不提防被老郭抽個正着,借題發揮,就在所有學生面前痛罵了他一個狗血淋頭。事隔多年,老郭的一番話還是清清楚楚地留在我的腦海中。

『... 胡XX,你年紀不少,应当明白你父母在美國捱生捱死,滙寄美金回港給你讀書,撕開每一塊錢都是有血有汗滴出來的,你現在的所作所為,又怎能对得起你父母?又怎能对得起你自己?如果你不懸崖勒馬,痛改前非,我相信你不但会傷了你父母之心,更会傷害了你自己一生的前途,胡XX,你想清楚罷!!』

老郭語畢,眾學生鴉雀無声,室內時間和空氣都好像被凝結了,在那一瞬間,我好像看到一滴眼淚從小王子臉上流下。小王子那年沒有留班,也沒有被逐出校門,中學畢業後,他就返回美國和父母同住。

而老郭他還是繼續在無花果學校任教,正是: 學而不厭,誨人不倦,桃李滿門,是教育界的中流砥柱。郭老師在1985年榮獲香港十大傑出長者的名銜,他在1997年逝世,享年74歲,留下自作輓聯如下:

清風兩袖,惟有一片丹心,胸懷袓國;
牢騷滿腹,幸喜盈門桃李,艷競香江。

(筆者後語: 「小王子」是屬口傳野史一類,但郭全本老師卻是真人丶真事丶真英雄。)

Reference:
"郭全本" 维基百科http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%83%AD%E5%85%A8%E6%9C%AC

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Related Sites:
* Kempton is the one that came up with the theme "My Favourite Teachers". His blogsite is at: http://ca8hk.wordpress.com/2010/09/05/2w1g-issue-46-my-favourite-teachers/
* To read other articles under the same theme, please visit: http://2weeks1gather.wordpress.com/

記念九一一襲擊事件: 必治活國家墳場 / Remembering the 9/11 Terrorist Attack: Beechwood National Cemetery

九一一襲擊事件,

發生在2001年9月11日,

在此記念在9/11喪生的無辜平民,

and those in uniforms,

包括26名加拿大籍人。

Photo Credit: Lotusandcedar / Haricot
I took these photos at the Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.

Reference:
Wikipedia: "... Beechwood Cemetery is the national cemetery of Canada. Because it is located in Ottawa, Ontario, the nation's capital, it is the burial site for a number of statesmen as well as a large number of mayors of the city. A woodland cemetery founded in 1873, it is 160 acres (647,000 m²) and is the largest cemetery in the city of Ottawa. It was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 2001. The cemetery also serves as the "National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces" and the "RCMP National Memorial Cemetery" ...."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechwood_Cemetery)

瑪格麗特‧愛特伍: 《洪荒年代》 / Margaret Atwood: The Year of the Flood

"預視人類未來"

"..... 加拿大作家瑪格麗特‧愛特伍近日出版新作 "The Year of the Flood",描述一群稱為上帝的園丁（God's Gardeners）,預測大洪水將臨，因而致力於制定因應對策。在這飽受自然災害威脅的地球，僅少數人類和變種生物存活下來。這群人類以亞當一號（Adam One）為首，盡全部心力於保護地球上所有的物種免於大水侵害。

愛特伍為一著作豐富之小說家，著名作品如《仕女的故事》(The Handmaid's Tale, 1985)、《盲眼刺客》(The Blind Assassin, 2000)和《末世男女》(Oryx and Crake, 2003)等。她的新作品 The Year of the Flood 背景和《末世男女》一樣設在2003年，描述在大地反撲、自然災害不斷的情況下存活下來的人類的命運。愛特伍強調，兩本小說雖有類似的時空和場景，卻沒有直接的承繼關係，The Year of the Flood 並非其前作的續集。..."

(Source of text above: 台灣匯文網)



Thanks to Kempton's Sept 9, 2010 blog article entitled "2010 Calgary International Film Festival Picks: In the wake of the flood", I am able to locate the trailer and post it here for your enjoyment.

As I mentioned during the interview by 2weeks1gather, I am a big fan of the Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, who is also now the inventor of "book-tour performance arts". I have read many of her books and have thus far written four articles abt the great dame, as shown below:

* 希臘神話【潘妮洛普】: 觀點與角度 (上,中,下集) / Margaret Atwood's "The Penelopiad": Point of View Part 1; Part 2; Part 3
* 兩週一聚 (二十一期) 「假如你是一本書......」【瑪格麗特‧愛特伍 : 認同与生存】 / 2weeks1gather (#21)「If you were a book...... 」【Margaret Atwood: Identity and Survival】

Presently, I am drafting an article abt Margaret Atwood's "Life Before Man" 瑪格麗特‧愛特伍: 【在未有男人(人類)之前】. Hopefully, I will be able to post the final version on Lotusandcedar soon.

References:
* Kempton: Sept 9, 2010 "2010 CLIFF picks in the wake of The Flood"
* Source of video: In the Wake of the Flood (Teaser) from filmswelike on Vimeo.
* 兩周一聚六月訪問微豆: E-interview
of Haricot by Readandeat of 2weeks1gather that was published on June 27, 2010