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諾言
在進入香港机場禁區前那一刻,留學生对女友山盟海誓,就算是海枯石爛,他也会回港與她繼續那段感情。唯獨,事如願違,留學生沒有遵守諾言。他不是移情別戀,也沒有在異地另結新欢,而是受不了學業壓力丶環境變遷丶文化衝突的打擊。但許下諾言的那一刻,直到今時今日,仍是烙印在留學生的腦海中。
在留學生進入禁區前那一刻,她是多麽願意相信他山盟海誓的諾言,以前吵架对他的不是丶对他的不滿,都一一從眼淚中流去了。但是從那天開始,男友書信慢慢疏落,每星期一次,每一個月一次,之後音訊全無。
多年之後,女人結了婚,丈夫是香港大學畢業生,是政壇風雲人物。在追求時代,他也对她許下了很多諾言,或許那諾言也包含了山盟海誓,海枯石爛,此志不移的意思。直至有一天,緋聞外洩,他被迫辭職下台,公開对妻子道歉。
留學生最深刻一次,就是許下一個不能遵守的諾言。
丈夫最深刻一次,就是後悔違背了对妻子的諾言。
女人最深刻一次,就是希望自己能夠相信心愛男人的謊言。
今宵多珍重 (陈百强)
愁看殘紅亂舞
憶花底初度逢
難禁垂頭淚湧
此際幸月朦朧
愁悴如何自控
悲哀都一樣同
情意如能互通
相分不必相送
放下愁緖
今宵請妳多珍重
那日重見
只恐相見亦怱怱 .....
(到此我唱不下去了)
*** Disclaimer: Any resemblance to ppl living in HK or Canada is strictly a coincidence (sob !) ***
Related Link: 周游 http://writelinktogether.wordpress.com/
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Updated 12h30:
最深刻一次 (關淑怡)
Thanks to blogger "V" (http://mylifeasv.blogspot.com/2011/06/blog-post_27.html) for the YouTube link.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Human Resources Management - The Odd Couple
After graduating from Chemical Engineering, I started my first job with a mining company in northern Manitoba. Even tho I was green, the Company assigned me a technician to "supervise". His name was Bob and he was over six-foot four.
So imagine this odd couple walking around the metallurgical complex, one short, young looking oriental who was still "wet behind the ear"; and the other a tall, mature looking man who knew everybody.
"Hey Bob, I see you've got yourself a little helper there!" one of the shift-boss yelled.
"Mmm, he is actually my boss," replied Bob, a bit embarrassed.
I was even more embarrassed than Bob because I was feeling bad for both of us. But that was the way the Company was structured: In the process-technology department, engineers, no matter how inexperienced, would always be "senior" in rank over lab technicians. At least that was what the engineers claimed.
As time went by, Bob taught me a lot abt process engineering and shared with me without reservation his years of experience gained from working around the zinc plant and copper smelter. While in title he remained "my" technician, there was no doubt he was the one who did the mentoring and taught me the rope.
Up to this date, I still have my utmost respect for Bob and for his patience to put up with me, a green fresh-out-of-school engineer who knew nothing and yet was supposed to be the "senior" of that odd couple.
Footnote:
After I left the Company, Bob continued to move up the corporate ladder thru the non-R&D branch of the organisation. The last I heard, he was promoted to the position of Mill Superintendent of the Snow Lake Mine operation.
Sent from BlackBerry
So imagine this odd couple walking around the metallurgical complex, one short, young looking oriental who was still "wet behind the ear"; and the other a tall, mature looking man who knew everybody.
"Hey Bob, I see you've got yourself a little helper there!" one of the shift-boss yelled.
"Mmm, he is actually my boss," replied Bob, a bit embarrassed.
I was even more embarrassed than Bob because I was feeling bad for both of us. But that was the way the Company was structured: In the process-technology department, engineers, no matter how inexperienced, would always be "senior" in rank over lab technicians. At least that was what the engineers claimed.
As time went by, Bob taught me a lot abt process engineering and shared with me without reservation his years of experience gained from working around the zinc plant and copper smelter. While in title he remained "my" technician, there was no doubt he was the one who did the mentoring and taught me the rope.
Up to this date, I still have my utmost respect for Bob and for his patience to put up with me, a green fresh-out-of-school engineer who knew nothing and yet was supposed to be the "senior" of that odd couple.
Footnote:
After I left the Company, Bob continued to move up the corporate ladder thru the non-R&D branch of the organisation. The last I heard, he was promoted to the position of Mill Superintendent of the Snow Lake Mine operation.
Sent from BlackBerry
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Human Resources Management: The Boss is not Always Right
Yesterday I ran into a previous employee (let's call her Ms. K) who at one point had not been happy with my decision as her boss.
The conflict occurred when two project officers in my team were fighting over a South-America file. At the time, I was a newly minted director and figured they could settle their differences without my intervention. Alas the dispute dragged on and I finally had to call both employees into my office.
Having heard their cases, I ruled that Ms. K should not lead the file, based on my understanding of the employees' job descriptions. This somewhat bureaucratic decision of mine did not go well with Ms. K and she left my branch soon after.
A couple of years later, I called up Ms. K and asked if I could seek her feed-back on my "performance" as her boss, esp during the period of conflict. She was appreciative of my request and provided me with her frank opinion.
In retrospect, I should have made my decision based on who could have done a better job with the South America file. The responsibility of a director is first and foremost to deliver results, as opposed to adhering to a certain organisational structure. Sure, deviations from an established job description might be ground for a grievance but the risk of losing a high-flyer should not be underestimated.
I am happy to learn from Ms. K yesterday that she is now a director. More importantly, we remain friends !!
Sent from BlackBerry
The conflict occurred when two project officers in my team were fighting over a South-America file. At the time, I was a newly minted director and figured they could settle their differences without my intervention. Alas the dispute dragged on and I finally had to call both employees into my office.
Having heard their cases, I ruled that Ms. K should not lead the file, based on my understanding of the employees' job descriptions. This somewhat bureaucratic decision of mine did not go well with Ms. K and she left my branch soon after.
A couple of years later, I called up Ms. K and asked if I could seek her feed-back on my "performance" as her boss, esp during the period of conflict. She was appreciative of my request and provided me with her frank opinion.
In retrospect, I should have made my decision based on who could have done a better job with the South America file. The responsibility of a director is first and foremost to deliver results, as opposed to adhering to a certain organisational structure. Sure, deviations from an established job description might be ground for a grievance but the risk of losing a high-flyer should not be underestimated.
I am happy to learn from Ms. K yesterday that she is now a director. More importantly, we remain friends !!
Sent from BlackBerry
Sunday, June 26, 2011
多惱河之波濤洶湧 / Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy on Violins "Waves of the Danube", Live in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2007
The music played so beautifully here by Natalie and Donnell is called "Waves of the Danube" written by Romanian composer Losif Ivanovici around 1880. In 1946, Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin added lyrics and called it "Anniversary Song".
Below is a YouTube clip posted by musician Bill Mills for his wife ....
Lyrics of "Anniversary Song" (to the tune of "Waves of the Danube"):
多惱河上
波濤洶湧
青春捲逐
歲月催人
但願我倆
白髪同心
海枯石爛
情比金堅
Oh how we danced on the night we were wed,
We vowed our true love though a word wasn't said;
The night was in bloom, there were stars in the sky,
Except for the few that were there in your eyes.
Dear, as I held you close in my arms,
The angels were singing a hymn to your charms;
Two hearts gently beating were murmuring low,
Darling, I love you so.
Oh how we danced on the night we were wed,
We vowed our true love though a word wasn't said;
Dear, as I held you close in my arms,
The angels were singing a hymn to your charms;
Two hearts gently beating were murmuring low,
Darling, I love you so.
The night seemed to fade into blossoming dawn,
The sun shone on you but the dance lingered on;
Should we but recall that sweet moment sublime,
We'd find our true love is unaltered by time.
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Related links:
Please note: "Waves of the Danube" or "Anniversary Song" should not be confused with "Anniversary Waltz" which is a different song written by Dave Franklin & Al Dubin in 1941.
- YouTube: Andy Williams "Anniversary Song" http://youtu.be/ekduN2N0eTY (I REALLY LIKE THIS VERSION - especially at the end when the couple grow old together)
- YouTube: Connie Francis "Anniversary Waltz" (http://youtu.be/QFVy8td-H-A)
- Longer interview and fiddling performance by Natalie and Donnell on TED:
Saturday, June 25, 2011
(宇美)海之咖啡廳: 開放式麥克風 即興表演(吟詩、朗誦、歌唱、演奏、故事、笑話等) / Umi Cafe Open Mic & Jam Session (IMG00236)
Friday nite is "open mic/mike" at Umi Cafe in Chinatown. From abt 7 pm to midnight, the place is jam-packed with ppl listening to music, songs, poetry reading, story telling, and other live entertainment. The average age of the crowd is abt 25-30.
I took this photo on June 24, 2011 at abt 11h30 pm when the night's event was wrapped up, as usual, in the form of a "jam session".
For the price of a few bucks, it's pretty good entertainment !!
Sent from BlackBerry
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Reference / Wikipedia:
- "... A jam session is a musical act where musicians play (i.e. "jam") by improvising without extensive preparation or predefined arrangements. Jam sessions are often used to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one participant, or may be wholly improvisational. Jam sessions can range from very loose gatherings of amateurs to sophisticated improvised recording sessions intended to be edited and released to the public.... " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_session
- "... An open mike or open mic is a live show where audience members may perform at the microphone. Usually, the performers sign up in advance for a time slot with the host or master of ceremonies.... " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_mic
(Minor updates Oct 2, 2012: Chinese title and Wikipedia links added)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Love's in the Electrified Air
In the afternoon of June 24, 2011, the brewing storm finally broke open the Ottawa sky and rain was pouring down. There were lightnings and thunders all around the vehicle and K left this message on the fogged up car window.
In the pouring rain
With lightning, thunder & funnel clouds
You sent me a message in the electrified air
Boo who?
<3
In the pouring rain
With lightning, thunder & funnel clouds
You sent me a message in the electrified air
Boo who?
<3
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Le Mouton Noir / Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield (IMG00226, 227)
I picked up K after work, fought thru the downtown traffic, and finally we arrived at le Mouton Noir (Black Sheep Inn) in Wakefield, only to find out that there is already a line-up to get in to see the performance by Natalie McMaster & Donnell Leahy.
For those who are not familiar with the two Canadian performers, they are famous for their fiddle music. McMaster is from Nova Scotia and Leahy, Ontario.
As usual, I find myself the only Chinese in the crowd.
Photo credit:
I took a picture of the line-up with the river as the background, and a picture of the drinking crowd inside the Black Sheep Inn venue. The show will start at 20h30.
Haricot
(June 23, 2011 19h15)
Sent from BlackBerry
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
「字由式: 一週一題」: 【星期六的早上】 / 「Weekly Free-style Writing」: 【One Saturday Morning】
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
My belated Responses to your Comments posted June 8-22, 2011
If you see your pen-name below, please click the articles to see my responses.
2011 Ottawa Dragon Boats Festival (IMG00225)
- Space
- Space
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2011 Italian Festival June 17-19 (IMG00218)
- Space
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- 啤酒花™_J
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- 啤酒花™_J
- the inner space
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- Space
- 新鮮人
Bif Naked's Tattoo: 竺土大仙心 (on the insdie of her right arm
- 啤酒花™_J
- 新鮮人
- Space
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雙百人 / 變人: 長生不死 / Bicentennial Man: Immortality
- 啤酒花™_J
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講大話,甩大牙!!! (說謊政客的垃圾) / Oh Mr. Weiner - Liar Liar ...
- the inner space
- Exile
Sunday, June 19, 2011
2011 Ottawa Dragon Boats Festival (IMG00225)
Earlier today, K and I watched several dragon boats racing on the open water that is part of the Rideau River. There are over 200 teams competing in the largest dragon boats race in North America. There are also thousands of local and out-of-town spectators sitting on top of the adjacent hill, filling the beer tent in front of the stage, swimming in the river, or just lounging around on the beach.
Based on my observation, the avg age of the crowd must be abt 25. Most of them are in good shape, esp the woman athletes. However, I cannot say the same thing for male spectators in the 40+ category. Most have beer guts!!
Anyway, it's very relaxing just sitting around and enjoying the music on this Father's Day, when Ottawa is hosting a dragon boats race that is based on Chinese tradition and folklore.
Photo credit:
* I used my BlackBerry to take this photo of the toboggan hill next to Mooney's Bay on June 19, 2011 at abt 15h17
Haricot
20110619 15h20
(Ottawa)
Sent from BlackBerry
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